Bipolar is something my friend tried to treat unmedicated and it got scary for me to be there because there could be a loss of contact with what was going on. Until medication was tried that work (took 4-5 different meds to find one that work Cymbalta now in a generic) plus other meds.
The best thing that happened was to find a compassionate pdoc that could spend time and hang in there for the long run. the first couple were not suitable. If it weren't for medicine don't know where I would be now or where my friend would be.
The pdoc that got things undercontrol was less confident in one diagnosis and more open to find medication that would put things back on an even track.
For me, keeping myself exercising every day (yoga, walking, calisthenics) and eating a high protein low carb diet have helped me find a stable course. Mindfulness has helped keep possible crises from blowing up. There are articles about this on PC. Here are some of them
Psych Central - Search results for Mindfulness
You ask Am I even wrong?
I don't know enough if you are wrong or not, but would you agree that you are trying to diagnose your condition which even medical doctors find difficult.
I think you know something is wrong, but I don't see any things you know how to try. Maybe it is time to say to a psychiatrist. This is what is happening to me. Can you try some medications that may move me toward a more stable lifestyle?
Then see what the pdoc suggests. If you try it for a couple days or a week and you seem to be getting worse, call the pdoc and say this is getting worse. What else can we try.
When you feel lost, it is time to get help. It does not mean you can't make lifestyle changes like the exercise or mindfulness, but those alone may not be fast enough to get you back to a stable situation. That is why meds may be an important part of the mix.