Hi, Meta!

I am DEFINITELY a bipolar II person that did very badly on antidepressants for nearly 10 years. I watched my jobs, my reputation and my family slip away because of my condition. I tried many drug cocktails, but they all contained one or more antidepressants. In the long run they did nothing for me as I became more and more depressed. After I was hospitalized I found Dr. Jim Phelp's website (to which you refer). I had to change health providers after I lost my insurance, and the new pdoc took me off all antidepressants. Funny, my mood improved radically within a few days. Since then I had one depressive episode in the fall, and I was put on Seroquel. I now take lithium, Lamictal and Seroquel, and feel bettter than I have in ten years. I have started back to school, and I am worried about the stress getting to me and triggering an episode, but we'll see.

So, yes...given your history, I think you should ask about treatment without antidepressants. Both Lamictal and Seroquel have been shown to be effective in bipolar deppression, and have certainly helped in my case. I wish you the best, I hope your pdoc will consider this for you.

DJ