I am ultra-ultra rapid cycling. One therapist told me she had never seen anyone whose moods changed as quickly as mine. I've just analyzed the mood charts I've been keeping for many years. I was hoping to find some periods of time when the meds actually worked. (Well, I keep taking them because they have prevented the major, horrible depressions and wishing I were dead. I have not had that since about 1995. ) I looked at the charts as far back as 2003. There three, or maybe four periods of 6 months where I was stable. The meds always either quit working for me, or else gradually cause side effects till these new side effects have a major impact on my life, and the lives of other people. Lately there are two major side effect problems, probably caused by one or more of these meds: Lexapro, Lamictal, and Depakote. The problems are instantaneous and severe rages. I don't lash out except at home, but on the phone and out in public I am very irritable and can be rude. The after effects of the rages can make an underlying anger ruin my whole day, and I can't do anything. The other side effect is loss of balance on my feet/legs. I have had two very hard falls in the last 3 months. One was yesterday. Both times I fell full length and hit my head. I went to the ER and nothing was broke or any serious injury -- so far. Tomorrow I see my pdoc. I hope I can still ride public transit. The disability bus is ridiculous -- 1-2 hour wait in both directions!!! And not only that, it can be later or worse. I know because I knew two people who had to ride in it, and they'd sit around half the day waiting and trying to reach the switchboard to find out where it was.