I accept that I'll never leave the "patient role." I hope I can keep with BOTH forms of the word, a patient patient.
It's ok to me to take the medicine. If you have a thyroid condition, don't you need the meds for it forever? If you're diabetic, aren't the meds a permanent fixture? The meds for those certainly need to be adjusted at times too. I happen to have a physical chemical imbalance that affects me mentally. I'm sure there's mental effects to the other conditions I've mentioned, one of which I also have, hypothyroidism. I've always been bipolar. It was obvious, just unnoticed. I'll always have bipolar, and unless science cures it (doubtful but slightly hopeful anyway), I'll always need the meds.
I do respect the right to do as you wish with your body. I was surrounded by people expounding that today. If you choose to not take your meds or find an alternative treatment, that's your decision.