i saw a therapist in college just for general dysthymia and irritability. he gave me Seroquel and it worked nicely. then i broke out in mania, but it was pure, not mixed, and i thoroughly enjoyed it so i dodged a diagnosis and medication for a couple years. then i got hospitalize for depression, tried Zoloft, got manic again, and finally had a mixed episode and sought better help.

been on lamictal ever since and haven't relapsed aside from a mild mania this summer but we upper the lamictal to 400 and i feel better.