it took me over 21/2 years to get stable on meds. drugs and alcohol will mess with this so it is wise to limit their use. AD can can trigger mania in a bipolar. triggered my worse mania ever and psychosis when I was put on Zoloft for my anxiety yet I could take wellbutrin, so it just depends. but I have been doing well for years after years of hopelessness. it just took getting the right mix of meds. maybe you haven't found the right ones. be persistent with your pdoc. take care.