I don't really agree with this. I have been hospitalized 13 times in the last 7 years for severe suicidality, including attempts, have gone through two rounds of ECT, etc., yet I am pretty much not on meds anymore. I definitely was a "serious case." I crashed repeatedly while on meds, so meds are not any guarantee that you won't crash in the first place. Will I crash off meds? Maybe. Maybe not. Will another crash mean the end of me? I really don't think so anymore. I've learned how to manage this illness so much more effectively over the last few years.

How did I finally get to this point? Lots and LOTS of therapy. Years of it -- intensely working on the issues that were complicating and triggering my symptoms and developing the skills to manage and cope with my symptoms thoughtfully and healthily. I am SO far better off now than I was when I began this journey.

Will I always be stable? Probably not, but I do recognize that my episodes are more manageable now because I have worked on those skills and my issues with dedication. Will I be able to stay off meds forever? Probably not, but I do think I have reached a point where I'll be able to take meds for shorter periods of time to get through episodes and not need to be on the full-time forever like I thought I was going to have to be.