There is much we have in common with others in our society, so it appears that we share an objective reality, but this can be seen as an illusion if we go to a different culture, or if we enter a different reality by going insane. One of the things I've learned to do is to make a reality that I am comfortable living in. One that is free of the fear and the despair of the insanity that I experienced. I can do this on my own only temporarily - manic depression causes a powerful disruption in one's brain chemistry that wipes out any form of conscious control. To prevent this, I take a number of drugs.
Psychiatric drugs have a strange effect.
When I take them, other people change their behaviour. Things that are true become false. Things that are false become true. A life that I am convinced will be filled only with despair for the rest of my existence becomes serene and even joyful. The CIA stops tapping my phone.