I admit right off the bat that I have not read all the posts on this thread. It has been a l-o-o-n-g day, with my trying to help many people here. So, if I repeat what someone else has said, then at least two of us think the same way.

I believe people can reach a point where they are "stable"--not too far up or too far down. And in a sense, then, it's almost like they are in remission. So, in that way, they can be symptom-free.

I am a firm believer in people with bipolar taking some meds, if they need to (and I think most of us need at least some minimum amount). I just take Tegretol, wellbutrin, and klonopin. Believe me, that's a big reduction in what used to take. I hope to get off the klonopin one of these days. The Tegretol also treats a facial pain condition I have.

That said, I also believe therapy is a good idea for bipolars--be it talk therapy, CBT, DBT, etc. I find some of my depression, anyway, is triggered by life events.

As far as the statistics on people being happy with their drugs, we need to keep in mind that we have a rather biased group as a sample here. Generally, we post here when we feel a need to complain or ask advice about something we're upset about. I don't think many of us post just to say something like, "I just want you folks to know I am just thrilled with the drugs I take, my psychiatrist is wonderful, my therapist is excellent, and I am just doing great." (Except perhaps in a success story!)

Just like many other disorders, bipolar can very in intensity and seriousness. And what works for one person, alas, often doesn't work for someone else.

I do think there is hope!

(I see a cane coming, getting ready to yank me off the stage.....Bye!)