On the hostility toward those who choose not to take meds, hostility isn't right but, I could suggest reasoning. Yes, it is based on experience and much reading from those damn health professionals but, I know for myself and a couple others that I know personality, my husband, a friend, that staying on medication is a struggle. Meds suck, a lot even, maybe especially when they work, well, without side effects.

Many of us who are "pro-med" are that way after going on and off medication, going off with high hopes and eventually disasterous results. Much of the literature out there shows bipolar is episodic, yes, you're stable now but, chances are that is going to change, maybe not this year or next but, it will. We take meds to prevent future episodes. They're that bad and will be. Literature also shows therapy alone is largely ineffective with bipolar. It is excellent for other illnesses though, unipolar depression, anxiety and panic and personality disorders. Here we go with trusting the experts again but, some do suggest that when the meds don't help, consider something else or when therapy is enough, same deal. I'm inclined to believe it.

Okay, yes, there are people with bipolar who may have mild symptoms and never lose touch with reality (here I'm suggesting that even bipolar depression is a significant loss of reality, not just some mild cyclothymia) and don't need medications but, many do. Those who are on them, stay on them and have seen what going off of them leads to, need to believe it is the right choice and occasional hostilty to the idea of going off meds? Can help.

This is not to say meds cure everything, definitely not. Medication is part of the answer. For me and those I know? Read about from them damn expert studies who I too am weary about? The most important part of the answer.

And as for the whole, if I'm suicidal that is my problem only, it sure is unless you know, you have a therapist whose job it is to help you or you know, life isn't to be needlessly ended. Think about it, if you're willing and actively suicidal, you are dangerous. I don't care about you any more than some other Joe Smoe who might end up an unfortunate victim of a psychotic person's dellusions, if you turn on yourself or a bystander due to severe mental illness, not some rational choice, it is the same in my books.