You Rock, Desiring Shadows... You know your own self-- and I'm sure you'll be able to handle whatever you decide.
It IS possible to get off the meds.
There's even timing for measuring certain periods of instabilities that DO occur, in EVERYONE's life. You learn how to handle yourself. There are even ways to determine 'the whens' and periods of times you'd be prone to it, astrologically, by transits.
Make sure you know your chart... But don't drive yourself crazy looking too closely. That has harmed people, too. Back away from astrology for a while if that is happening.. (Students!!!! ROFL)
Live Balanced.
You're Good!
You can do whatever you Put Your Mind To Do.
OTHERS have SUCCESSFULLY done what you are doing, and they now are well. You don't have to be on those forever... unless you yourself find (for yourself) that you "chemically" need it.
If you have friends who are objective enough, and you TRUST them to tell you something's off, then, you can examine your own self, and determine what you need.
You might want to read/listen to things having to do with "Gaslighting" .... Read in a way that does not BLAME or judge you, or others. Just 'know' HOW that can happen, and take a Deep Breath, and Center yourself. Be Proud.
Reading that material might be a TREMENDOUS booster for you. If you learn the triggers, you can catch yourself falling for it, if you are prone or subconsciously 'trained'. Might take a handful of years, but this CAN be 'extinguished' from your automatic-behaviors.
Sometimes others (who have known you) strive to 'keep' you as-they-remember you. They resist you growing..... Not at all that they realize what they do-- some of them, like mums?!! who worry.
If you can afford it, or SAVE MONEY for it-- even negotiate!!! for one, .. you could consult a counseling-type astro-pro to identify bumps in the road.
The YouTube Website astrologers at "AstrologyAnswers" have two astro counseling-trained coaches.. one male, one female. I don't know if they cut any breaks or deals in their prices... but wouldn't hurt to ask, if you contacted them. Maybe they'd know people who would.
http://www.youtube.com/user/AstrologyAnswers
Proud of you.