I think there's a huge difference between regular mood swings and bipolar (or unipolar) mood swings (including racing thoughts, trouble putting thoughts together). My bipolar mood swings are unstoppable after a short period of time (and become more intense) and I end up getting completely drained from the agitation/irritability and end up laying down/sleeping for days and days until I feel better. In college (and work) my racing thoughts were unstoppable (and almost 24/7) and I could not remember what it felt like having a clear head (at 13-14 yrs old).

I could also not describe what was going on with me (from 15) until I was about 32 and had a decent breakthrough w/paxil (after yrs of treatment and hospitalizations including ECT x16) and started working FT again. I'm 49 now and on SSDI and take 4-5 meds (and all sorts - lithium, klonopin, effexor, lamictal and ritalin sometimes). I've actually found ritalin and adderall to stop my agitation/irritability for short periods of times (which my Doc said can happen to some people which is why he prescribed them).

I expect psychotropic medication to balance my symptoms so they become manageable again. I've had short glimpses of this with only a few medications and I know it's totally a biochemical issue. Unfortunately, I don't believe that medications are fully advanced yet from my experience over last 25 yrs. And I believe that Psychiatrists know this, as well. I've had Psychiatrists who couldn't help me with meds (due to side effects, no response, etc.) and dragged me along and took my money for years.