I was on a fairly high dose of lithium for about 6 or 7 years. I finally felt like I was ready to see if I still needed it after years of CBT so I decreased and eventually got off of it. I am still taking Lamotrigine so not med-free, just med-reduced. Anyways, I tapered off over the course of a couple of years because I was afraid of how a rapid taper would feel. I experienced a lot of depression over those years and, in hindsight, I wish I would have tapered off much faster. It will be hard for a time but your brain will adjust and your doctor can help you find other, and hopefully less harmful, medications that will help balance you out. Just hunker down and have a solid support group. You'll get through it!