I was misdiagnosed with unipolar depression for about 30 years despite my mother having bipolar (& committing suicide). I only went to the doc when depressed & only had a few hypomanic periods caused by the anti-depressants. I just thought the drugs were working, but then I'd slip into another depression, get the dosage upped, or try a new drug. Finally, I saw a new internal med doc & she saw me in a mixed state, started me on Depakote & sent me to a psychiatrist. It took about a year to get onto the medications that worked consistently for me: Abilify, Lamictal, Concerta, Provigil & Xanax. I think the diagnosis of bipolar I was helpful for me to learn about the disorder. My ins. co. requires a diagnosis on each script since I get my meds through a mail-order service. I was relieved once I got the correct diagnosis. Finally, all those symptoms made sense & I could start recovery & get some quality to my life. I also saw two other psychiatrists until I decided on the one I currently see. She is responsive to my imput, will see me on short-notice if depression starts to appear (only happened once in the last 4 years & added Wellbutrin for the winter & went off it in the spring--some SAD in me, as well), & experimented with meds until I got a good quality of life. She also fought with the ins. co. to pay for the meds when they were balking.