he's not an idiot, there is lots of evidence for this.
and my experience is this too. i also had that type of bipolar, but was never diagnosed, and therefore not medicated, until 10 years ago. when i was diagnosed, i was not given this information (maybe it wasn't known then).there was no choice, or discussion, i was put on lithium. when i felt better, a good few months later, i came off the lithium. (cos it's horrible, sluggishness, weight gain, nausea). a few months off lithium, and i'm more manic than ever before, followed by the worst suicidal depression ever. so i'm put back on lithium, and this cycle repeats, about 3 times more, progressively worse manias/depressions each time. last time, my psych.dr wanted me to stay on lithium at least 2 yrs to see if i could then be ok coming off the meds. but i couldn't hack it, and this year has subsequently been one of my worst ever. 6 months off work. so now i'm back on lithium again. it does work. i feel sluggish, i'm very fat, but i manage to work 3 days a week, and sleep the other 4, whilst trying to look after my kids ! i hate the lithium, but i need it.
i do wonder how i would have gone on, if i had never started on the lithium. but that's history.