I had wicked anxiety as a young teenager and was diagnosed manic depressive at 16 after a drug-induced psychosis.

Was in and out of the hospital until about 19... I was much better- held a job, had a social life and met my husband.

I went off the meds at about 22 and was fine. Had 3 babies with no post-partum depression, lived my life and other than some mild anxiety was ok.

Flash forward to 2005- Father past away was put on Zoloft which wasn't working, Dr. upped the dose a couple times, went through some major life stress such as selling my house and building a new one and other stuff some was good stress (long story) which can also be a trigger, stopped sleeping...major manic episode - hypo for a month -manic for a month- Lithium was my savior and then the depression hit....

Even tho I constantly complain about taking my medications I think they are what have helped me the most.