Hi everyone,

I'm currently trying to determine if I might be Bipolar due to what I believe are several common symptoms. After discussing this with my pdoc she explained that if I was Bipolar I would have gone into a manic episode when she prescribed me Prozac years ago. This didn't happen. I became even more depressed. However, after reading several posts on these threads I'm learning this isn't necessarily so.

Additionally, she offered a script for a mood stabilizer, "To see," if it would help with what I think could be hypomanic symptoms. Not comfortable just, "Trying something to see," I respectfully passed. I've recently begun a mood chart and explained this to her. So together we decided to wait until my next appt. (a few weeks from now) and see how I'm feeling then to decide if revisiting mood stabilizers seemed appropriate. My pdoc's quick offer for mood stabilizers leaves me feeling this might be the only way to confirm or deny this diagnosis. (Either this or she's one to dole out meds like candy).

I have been diagnosed with depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. I just began taking Lexapro again and Xanax PRN.Truthfully I'm kinda frightened to try a mood stabilizer. She explained it will have a flattening affect. I don't want to lose my normally positive, bubbly, personality and feel all blunted and flat affected.

Here are my questions:
1). If you are Bipolar and have been on Prozac did it cause you to go into a manic state? What were your experiences with this whether you went into mania or not?
2). Is trying a mood stabilizer the only way to discern this diagnosis? Is this the common practice?
3). If you were in my shoes would you try a mood stabilizer to see if this does the trick?
4). Do you feel flat affected and blunted on mood stabilizers? Specifically, do you notice a change in personality and not feel as happy or expressive before you began taking them?

I'd appreciate any feedback, thoughts, and insights you're willing to provide. Thanks!

Wishing everyone good health and positive, healing, energy,

~*PositiveKarma*~