But I found the available meds treat symptoms too much exclusively, too much just waiting for your brain to heal itself, rewire. It will, but it really takes far too long.

I also found that treating my symptoms makes other problems worse, which makes functioning equally or (in the long term) more difficult. These other problems aren't just (all or fully) problems.

It's ridiculous how little progress is made finding better pharmacotreatment. It's all about symptoms: the research into genetics as well as into epigenetic, functional or dynamic biochemistry. That's simply because they don't know much about us beyond symptoms. The syndrome is blocking their view. If they knew how all symptoms relate, they wouldn't have to list them all or would do so more succinctly, reduced, or merely as examples.

That's why I would suggest you use generics if you do use meds.

It would also be helpful if we could join forces to find alternatives. To experiment and find those converging links in the chain as well as better treatment of symptoms and differences in response among us.

We could even experiment with different perceptions/conceptions of mania and depression.

Theories don't have to be true to be useful (arguably they are true then, but like how delusions can be truer than reality; arguably they are untrue by their very nature). Maybe to unravel the dynamics. Psychiatry doesn't do that: there are mainly dogmas at best, but mostly just one dogma which hasn't changed much ever.

It's still reminiscent of witch-hunts and crucifixion. We have the stigmata to proof it. They don't want us, don't understand us and fear us. They don't (even) tolerate us, wanting to change us.

That's not a healthy self-perspective/-concept.