when I was having two episodes a year, for nearly 8 years, I would normally be on lamictal and effexor as maintenance in between...but it seems only depakote and seroquel were able to bring me out of the episodes themselves...mine always started as hypomanic, morphed into manic, swirled a while in the mixed (depressed agitation high anxiety/energy) at which point I figured out it was time to see the dr..and after about 2 days on depakote and seroquel, the ABS brakes would be applied to the mania and I would crash into depression...then slowly climb back up out of the hole...I don't stay on that combo though because of side effects..when I restabilize I usually ask to go back to the lamictal and effexor. Somehow I have been able to stay stable these past two years on lamictal and effexor, I think it is because my hormones are no longer in an uproar..yay for 2 years of post menopause!