I'm certainly not the best person to comment on it, but those who've said sticking with meds and having patience are probably right. It's a constant struggle for me to remember that and think of the long term benefits. Hope your pdoc is helpful and knows his/her stuff. It always gives me more confidence to have a pdoc who at least gives the illusion of having a clue about what they are doing - and doing with me in particular. I've had some real quacks, but have a great one now. I just have to remember to lay everything on the table when I'm there. Sounds like your ready to take it on with the stuff you've got for him to see.

As for the kiddos. Best of luck. I've got a sick kid right now and it wears on everyone's nerves. They are so pitiful when they aren't feeling well. Of course, when you're a parent you do what has to be done whether you get any help or not cause that's what we signed up for when we had the little cuties.

I gave up long ago at trying to be the best parent/spouse and now I'm just shooting for good enough. The stress of the season doesn't help either. My method of fighting the bad mood that seems to pass back and forth between us is to take lots of deep breaths and smile when I don't really want to and say nice things that I'm sure I mean deep down in my heart even if I don't feel them at the moment. I figure my best shot at getting my family to be nice to me is to be nice to them.

Of course, I have plenty of lousy ways of dealing with the stress too but I wouldn't want to give anyone any bad ideas. I can only hope the mania will shine through in a constructive way and I can do something amazing and helpful and everyone will be all smiles again.

At least you'll be getting a dx and that usually comes with a plan and even if the plan changes it's still better than no plan at all.

Does your spouse know your dx or attend therapy with you? Mine doesn't and I'm not interested in that, but my T often tells me that great benefits can come from that. I don't know if any other bp folks here have experienced couples/family therapy, but I'd be interested in hearing how it goes. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to try it. Not there yet.

There is hope. Keep on keeping on as they say