I see bipolar, depression, anxiety and the like as physiological illnesses that can be controlled just like diabetes is controlled with insulin. Because of this, I don't see myself as defective or anything.

This is strictly my opinion, but I honestly believe that people with one mental health issue who goes on meds end with developing more and more because the meds actually block the body's ability to utilize various nutrients, especially magnesium causing more symptoms. It's amazing how many people who start off depressed or bipolar develop anxiety disorders, OCD, ADD, ADHD and end up agoraphobic because their brain lack the nutrients needed for them to feel normal and function. Meds don't help the body produce the neurotransmitters needed to function whereas amino acids do.

Here's a great brain function questionnaire showing the emotions/symptoms associated with various neurotransmitters and the related amino acids used to treat those symptoms. This and taking the mineral lithium orotate is how I've been treating my bipolar 2 for the last 9+ years after being on meds for 13 years with lots and lots of very nasty side-effects which is why I went off them. My mood and self-image is better than it's been since I was a kid. And I'm not tied to a Pdoc who runs my life. If my mood shifts up or down, I take the necessary amino acid or lithium and it stablizes within about 18 hours. And the reason this happens is because at it's core, bipolar and so many other mental health issues are caused by our brains not being able to produce these neurotransmitters without a little help in the form of supplements. This is the wave of the future--all the big stars and billionaires are very into nutrition as they know that's how to stay healthy.

http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf