First, let me say that your girlfriend is very fortunate to have you by her side. You seem very supportive and that is exactly what she needs right now.

I'm sorry to hear she is struggling. Unfortunately, it is something that many, if not most of us go through. A medication will work for a while and then the dosage will need to be adjusted or a new med added. Sometimes the medication will stop working and a new med will need to be tried. It is the nature of the disorder. That being said, many times it's just a matter of trial and error, and getting on the right medication mix can make all the difference in the world and can be effective for a very long time. There may certainly be breakthrough episodes however. It is an illness that can be managed, but not cured.

Things are more promising for us now than ever, though. There are so many new medications available now than there were even five or ten years ago and more and more research is being done on how to best manage the illness with both medication and lifestyle adjustments. I can certainly sympathize with your girlfriend - it is very frustrating and can seem like a hopeless situation sometimes. But keep encouraging her to try new things and to trust her psychiatrist if she has a good relationship with him/her. It can take a long time to find that right mix of medication and lifestyle adjustment. And just when it seems like you've exhausted all options, something else comes along to try. It sounds like she's very early on in managing her bipolar and she still has lots of options available to her. Hopefully once her meds are changed/adjusted and she begins to feel better, she will feel more hopeful about the situation. There are non-medication options to consider as well like ECT, Vagus nerve stimulation, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc.

I hope she feels better soon.