I'm BP2 so my experience may not be overly relevant.

I've always resisted being medicated from the time they first tried to medicate me at 16, so I understand that aspect of it. I saw it as being "controlled".

I'm now 61 and have belatedly had to change my tune. I had a very bad episode two years ago that seems to have changed my brain permanently. I've never recovered to the person I was prior to it. So, it now makes me wonder how much damage has occured with every episode, and I've had many.

Just something to keep in mind. Meds or brain damage?