I agree I think it varies from pdoc to pdoc, and they each have their favorite drugs that seem to cause the least side effects.. I’ve often wondered if this is a geographical tendency? If there isn’t some genetic and local things to take into consideration? Of course it could all be hocas pocus too.
The only drugs I’ve been on multiple times is lamictal and that has always had the same results, works marvelously to contain my mania but renders me flat.