I have a pretty serious mood disorder. Usually it's been labeled "dysthymia" and even "major depressive disorder." Once, after knowing me for a few years, this one pdoc said I was probably bipolar. I've been given "mood stabilizing" drugs, none of which did any good. (Lamictal, Seroquel and others.)

I'm having frequent, severe mood swings. I used to get hypomanic quite often, and could accomplish a lot when I did. I also have episodes of irritability that are serious. That seems to be what finally got that one pdoc to call me bipolar. I wonder if getting diagnosed as bipolar would do me any good, or lead to more effective treatment?

I'm becoming a wreck. For years, I'm on a tricyclic - amitriptyline - that did help me sleep better and get through depressive episodes quicker. But I'm still in and out of being a wreck. When I'm not in a depressive episode, I can feel about as good as any well person - very upbeat. But, lately, I can't sustain feeling okay for 3 consecutive days. This severe mood swinging is getting worse to where life hardly seems worth the trouble.

I think I disguise it fairly well around most people. But at home, with my S.O., it's on full display. He keeps saying, "What's wrong with you?" I had thought that was just a figure of speech he used when we were feuding. But now I think he means it literally. I see a pdoc next month. I hate to risk telling the pdoc that I may be more disturbed than I've conveyed to him. I don't trust doctors at all. I've had some bad experiences with psychiatrists.

So here I am in the bipolar forum, asking if getting diagnosed as bipolar led to you being able to improve your life? Any answers will be appreciated.