Not all medications for bipolar are zombifying, though it took me 10 years to find something that worked well. On Lamotrigine I’ve been largely symptom free for nearly 7 years now, with few if any noticeable cognitive side effects. The problem with untreated bipolar is that it can be a progressive degenerative condition. It seems to have a physical component involving immune disregulation and neuroinflammation (mediated by life stress and exposure to pathogens) which medication can help. I’d strongly urge anyone in the early stages of illness who thinks they can manage on their own to seek help and try different medications until they find something that works for them.