It’s a hard one. I’m often conflicted. On a philosophical level I believe I’m entitled to live a med free life. In practice I’m so unwell/unstable mentallly that I have to take meds.

My dad’s parents both died because of dementia, so it’s in my genes already. I hate that managing my mental illness with meds increases my chances more.
But again, if I don’t take them it’s like I’m choosing to risk my life. I don’t think DH or the kids would cope with that.

I already had kidney disease, liver and thyroid issues pre-dating my bipolar so I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Lithium works so well for me that I’ve accepted that my bloods need to be done every 3-4weeks, and I drink 3L a day.

Correctly medicating people in institutions is also tough. I have a family member who works in mental heath and they were bashed by an under medicated psych patient last year.