Oh and do answer your question about why people STOP taking mood stabilizers ... there are obviously a number of reasons but I think the two most common ones are probably:

1) The mood stabilizers work effectively and after a while a person begins doubting their original diagnosis and believes that they don't actually need the MS to stay functional and healthy.

2) Mood Stabilizers have side effects (just like virtually every other medication) and people stop taking them because they don't feel that the side effects are worth the benefits that the medication offers.