@Exoskeleton, They had me on Valium for over 2 years straight, sometimes up to 30mg and sometimes with Klonopin or Ativan added. It was that or sui from Haldol injections (LAI court ordered by the lovely state of NH--Haldol's just the only one I wasn't super allergic to that wasn't super expensive). If I had stayed on Haldol for life, I would've stayed on valium for life

Anyways,
Benzos cause dependence and dementia, lithium causes kidney failure, antipsychotics cause diabetes/heart problems/EPS, anticonvulsants cause cognitive issues, untreated mental illness progresses and leads to a shyt life, possibly suicide, possibly prison, possibly institutionalization (where you'll be forcibly medicated anyway). Take yer pick.