 [ Symptoms ] why quit bipolar disorder medications [ Disease ] what makes people quit taking medication very often it is denial that the problem is a real illness another issue is intolerable side effects especially lethargy and weight gain or the medication may not be working very well says edith harvey md staff psychiatrist with the hope program at the menninger clinic in houston many people quit because they do not like their doctor says carrie bearden phd a clinical neuropsychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at ucla usually the doctor saw them for five minutes gave them a drug and they did not like the drug not feeling listened to is a huge factor 