I've been suffering from depression since my late teens. I basically discounted it as being a result of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Recently I had a bout of serious depression which made it impossible for me to function. My primary dr put me on Prozac which almost immediately made me feel odd. She lowered my dosage and while the odd feeling was less I still felt peculiar so she had me stop taking it and told me to come back in a month.

It was then that I began researching depression and learned about Bipolar II. The more I read the more I felt like I was reading my biography. Finally my mood swings, bursts of energy, unfinished projects, irritibility, insatiable sex drive, sprending sprees and inability to sleep seemed like more than poor judgement (as other's have described it for years).

I sought a psychiatrist to determine if I could be bipolar II. I did my homework and found someone with training in treating those that are bipolar. She had lengthy intake forms which I didn't fully complete prior to meeting with her (I was told to complete them at home). She asked me a few questions about how I have been feeling. I briefly discussed my current living situation. I then told her that I feel it is possible that I am bipolar. She said I am not manic, she then began writing prescriptions. The first for Lamictal giving me a sheet of directions on how to take, stating that it was for my mood disorder. A prescription for Paxil and Sonata, adding that she could give me something else if I still find myself waking at night and unable to fall back to sleep.

I had come prepared to offer her my latest lab work. Also, at no point did she ask me about any other medical conditions I have or others medications I am on. On top of her not offering me a diagnosis other than mood disorder and depression I found this to be very odd.

I am reluctant to fill the prescriptions although there is a part of me that feels that they may help me feel better. My dh is very upset with me for feeling this way. He feels he is at his breaking point and I need to do something to take some of the pressure off him. So I ask is the diagnosis of bipolar II that important or should simply begin the meds prescribed?