Interesting thread. It seems that the consensus is that medication is generally necessary... and life can get pretty tough without it.

I'm currently experimenting with drastically reducing my medication regimen (against my psychiatrist's recommendations), and although it's only been about two weeks, I am feeling somewhat better (aside from the lexapro withdrawal symptoms).

My bipolar brother is currently going without medications, but he's still seeing a psychiatrist just in case. He seems to be doing okay, but we live 2250 miles apart and don't talk often.

I'm curious about those of you who have progressed from BP II to BP I... I'm BP II, which is part of the motivation behind my noncompliance with all of the mood stabilizers I was taking. Having never been overtly manic or psychotic, I feel fairly confident that I can live safely without a mood stabilizer (but still taking wellbutrin). I took various antidepressants for about 10 years before I was diagnosed as bipolar and placed on a mood stabilizer, and I never had an impressive manic switch. Hypomanic, yes... but not manic.

I wish I had a crystal ball that could tell me what is going to happen since I've stopped the mood stabilizers. My hope is that nothing will happen. It's only been about two weeks though. I guess we'll find out...