I agree with all that was said, and am concerned when people up and decide to quit all treatment. Why? My experiences and my youngest nephew's. That nephew lost his life because of it. It's not a joke. He's dead. Dead. Dead!

I found ECT to be helpful at not only easing my depression, but also making me more responsive to medications, when my bipolar disorder had been mostly med resistant before. I know that several people here stopped medications and are doing well using healthy lifestyle and coping skills. I respect those efforts. However, I would rather take at least a small dose of some moodstabilizer rather than nothing. That can be more helpful than nothing and still be little enough not to cause side effects, or significant ones. Then if something happens, you don't start from nothing.

Hate taking pills? Then maybe stop eating peas and corn, too. Both include some swallowed whole, for the most part. Think the latter is OK, but not the former? That's all in most people's heads, in my view. And yet many are willing to take OTC fish oil (multiple horse pills) or vitamin D, or whatever. Oh...."But taking OTC fish oil still keeps my body pure pure pure."

Sorry if my post rubs anyone the wrong way. It is written with only good intentions in mind. I really care about everyone here.