I can't keep up with all that is said. However I've come to my own conclusion about myself as being a non treated mentally ill person. I've decided to live with mad pride. So for me that means it doesn't matter what others think or what labels I'm given. It doesn't matter that I am not on meds now and I seem to get by ok without them. My illness is part of me and I embrace it and do a lot of work to stay well.

If it ever comes that I need meds or can actually get treatment, I won't fight it.

But maybe that's an outlook that could help you. It doesn't matter if you're ill or not. I don't think you were faking. You went through something and whatever it was effected you profoundly. It's part of who you are.