I don't want to discount xjadedxangelx's experience, but I do want to throw my two cents in with darkeyes, fayerody, MentalPollution, and dexter. Qutting cold turkey might seem like a good idea, but that usually just means that you happened to quit during an up-cycle. When it comes down, it can be a lot worse. I don't have personal experience, but I know of a case where the new clinical director of a community mental health agency - a very anti-medication sort - pulled everyone, including folks with BP, off their meds all at once. I won't go into details about what happened, but I can tell you that it left me with a deep appreciation for going off meds gradually, under the supervision of a doctor.