One of the main reasons why people with bipolar disorder stop taking their bipolar medications is because they start to feel better and decide that they don't need them anymore. And then, after they stop taking their medicine, they still feel great. But you need to remember that this period of "feeling good" is usually short lived for someone with bipolar.

The main reason that people still feel "well" after they stop their bipolar medication is because the medication is still stored in their body for a short time after it has been stopped. Once all of the medication is removed from the body, symptoms start to come back, usually worse than before.

If you are taking your medication regularly for your disorder and you begin to feel "well", it is because the medication is actually working. Do not be fooled into thinking you feel better because you are cured.  There is no cure for bipolar disorder—there is only stability, and that stability is only through the use of medication.

The greatest danger that someone with bipolar disorder faces in believing they are cured is that they go through their manic “high” and feel great for awhile , and they forget that they will always crash.  Unfortunately, that crash may be devastating—as high as the manic was is as low as the depression will go.  Then, while they are waiting for the time it takes for their medications to help them once again reach stability, they have to endure the awful depression.

If you are having trouble believing in the effectiveness of your medications, talk to your doctor, therapist or even a loved one to discuss your feelings. Have them gently remind you of how you felt before the bipolar medications were working.

If that doesn't work, you can try talking to someone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ask to hear their story about what happened when they went off their medications.

Another great way to convince yourself that you need the medication to feel better is to journal your thoughts. If you begin writing down your feelings on a daily basis, you will soon have written proof to look back on that shows how far you have come and what great improvements you have made.

You can also add a memories section to your journal and write about the things you remember from when you were not on medication. By forcing yourself to recall the more difficult times before medication, you will help yourself see the negative aspects of going medication free. 

Also, you might want to consider sharing your journal with your doctor and/or therapist.