Hi, yeah, I struggle with not feeling entitled to having a big personality. But on Tegretol, I feel like the old me. I don't cry at the drop of a hat, but I am deeply affected by things that... like I'm vegan, so I'm gonna be moved by animal sanctuary videos. And I'm political, so one side really bugs me. That didn't happen on lithium, I was a blob. I feel a little more like me. Functional, but with emotions. Now on Geodon mono rx, I know for a fact I wouldn't have made it this week. Too many stressors. I mean it failed me before. But then again Wellbutrin led to my diagnosis. Almost killed me! Everyone is different, I see so many BP on AD but they also often take benzos and I wonder if they need them to counteract the AD! That's how it would go down for me. Snake swallowing it's tail. But I literally switched to Tegretol from a support group suggestion. And my pdoc said sure. 3 years later!