I also don't see this as an all or nothing issue. I KNOW I have psychological issues related to "environment" that have responded well to therapy. I also KNOW that without medical help in the form of mood stabilizers, etc., I fall into SEVERE manic and depressive episodes that are beyond the scope of psychotherapy. The COMBINATION of medication and therapy, along with exercise, diet, etc. has served me best in maintaining some semblance of stability. I DO believe there is something in me -- call it "chemistry" or "misfiring" or genetics or whatever (what you call it doesn't really mean crap to me) -- that requires medication treatment FOR ME to maintain stability. Does every person need medication? Probably not.

There is a strong genetic component to my illness which tells me that a good portion of my illness comes to me through heredity. Do they have that pegged down yet? No. But I suspect it will come in my lifetime. This is a very "young" field of research in the scheme of things. I suspect these questions will be answered in time.