Oh yeah. Definitely a big issue. Thing is, it's ADs used by themselves (as opposed to in conjuction with a mood stabilizer) that is so problematic for people with BP. They can make higher highs, lower lows (just when one thought it were not possible... ugh), increase cycling and, well I hardly know how else to put this: can create a pure hell of chaos. (Personal experience as well as widely documented).

Now, that said... Once a mood stabilizer is introduced, it is a whole new ballgame. That is what is medicinally needed for BP. Once a mood stabilizer is in the picture, opinions diverge. Some (many, actually) have no problem prescribing an AD in conjuction with the mood stabilizer if they feel that will get things balanced to the right place. Others simply will not on the belief that they are never good in use with BP. So that's the long and short of it!

(Glad you're liking your new psych, Moreta!)