THIS. I was flying high in hypomania when my old p-doc tried to convince me of the need for medication. Being hypomanic and full of myself, I resisted. She then suggested trying the fish oil etc route, at least as something (because, hell, if it works, that'd be great!). I did. NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER. Which didn't bother me so much while hypomanic, but when the crash came, I KNEW where I was going and its total ineffectiveness became very critical at that point. I completely agree with Shakti here -- for the "normal" people oh-I'm-down version of "depression", it may be effective. But the true bipolar beast of depression is something else altogether. It is like trying to fight a nuclear blast with a toothpick.

That is not to say that I don't think people should even try it. They should, if that is their bent. BUT. If it works, that is great. But chances are, if that works, it's a pretty damn mild version of what a lot of us deal with. The challenge then is to realize that in working for one that it is NOT the cure-all for all. IT ISN'T. I can't stress this enough. I've been watching this phenomenon ("it worked for me, therefore it works, and anyone who relies on meds is deceived")for over 25 years and it bugs the snot out of me. "Working" is a factor of severity and individual chemistry. It's that simple. Believe me, if fish oil worked for me, I'd be all over it. It's a damn lot less expensive than what I'm on. Difference is, what I'm on is working. And I won't trade that for anything. Philosophy be damned, I need something that actually works, whether it lies inside or outside of what I'd like to believe.

(No harshness to you, ellyb. Truly. I also had suffered for years and years -- yes, even older than you --before being diagnosed) I've been put on meds that didn't work for me. I understand what you say about flatline. But what I'm on now isn't flatlining me, nor inhibiting creativity. In fact, because I'm not swallowed up with the inertia of depression, I can actually get in there and do work. Undiminished in depth.) To each his own, and I'm glad that you feel it is working for you. But also wanted to let you know that I so relate to the worry that "if they knew" business, re: kiddos... *and* that I too have a 17 year old(!) They really can be a pain in the arse!