Sorry I'm late. I'm less coherent then normal so bare with me.

I was a bright student and it has progressively worse. When I am depressed I'm not creative. I more worry that cycling makes memory worse. I feel that over-medication causes memory issues. If you are going through a cycle it could really effect your thinking ability. As far as drinking vs. meds, drinking is a depressant and not all BP's take benzo's. Alcohol makes me suicidal and pot makes me irritable. So I avoid alcohol.

I take a low Anti-depressant for anxiety. I also take a mood stabilizer. My meds may be worse for my brain then not, I don't know. Meds keep my life together, and let me be free (not in and out of jail or the hospital). If you don't want medication still see a therapist to give yourself more tools. Your completely in your right to say that you don't want medication. I'm a firm believer in try everything else before meds. If you do take meds don't settle for side effects. As far as cycling it is longer and others say less intense. I do cycle faster on the wrong AD's though.