kj44 my experience was prior to being diagnosed I had been in a very bad place (suicidal, hospitalized etc.). I think the more severe the episode the longer it takes to recover from it. I wouldn't expect someone who was recently diagnosed with cancer to "snap" back to their normal self within 2 months, so it's strange how we expect that with a mental illness. Give the meds time, but definitely get on your insurance, so you can have a follow-up appointment. Finding the right med combo for some can take time (it did for me), but what can help you become an informed patient and become a partner with your pdoc is educate yourself on the illness, track your mood and note external triggers etc.

There are many other things that you can do to help manager the illness. For me it includes seeing a therapist, eating regularly and healthy, exercising, keeping to a routine, taking supplements etc. Hope that helps.