There are a few different routes you can take:

Lamictal: anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer - I find this to be a great med and it really helped to keep my moods level and the "pressure" out of my mind. There are side effects at first such as drowsiness and concentration problems, but they wore off in 2 weeks for me. No weight gain!

I too have hypothyroidism, and I take Synthroid to keep my levels in range. I am also on Lithium for my mania. When I check my blood for the Li levels we also check for the thyroid levels as well... and so far everything has been in the proper ranges. However, I have noticed the Li has a "lowering" effect for me, which is great if you are manic or BP I, but I would not advise this be a first step for you since you are BP II.

Antidepressant: I would greatly recommend one of these for your depression, in *combination* with the Lamictal or another mood stabilizer as the antidepressant alone bears the risk of inducing mania.

There are two types of commonly prescribed antidepressants, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinepherin reuptake inhibitors).

Prozac and Zoloft (SSRI): Tried and true antidepressants. When I am in my depressive cycle, I add Prozac to my Lamictal/lithium mix and it works *great*. My younger sister is on Zoloft (she suffers from PTSD) and it helps with her aggression and acute rage.

Wellbutrin and Effexor (SNRI): treatment for depression and anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Some theories of depression and anxiety believe both serotonin *and* norepinepherin imbalances play a part in depression. If you are not having luck with SSRIs, I would suggest looking into switching to a SNRI as it works differently in your brain. Wellbutrin is usually the first in the line of SNRIs used for bipolar disorder.

Rispperdal: anti-psychotic, used for bipolar mania, schizophrenia, and autism. I have not tried this one, but I have been on Abilify and that was *awful* for me. I felt like poop all day long. If it isn't working for you, kick it to the curb!!!

Long story short, I recommend you talk to your doctor about beginning a combination of Lamictal and a low does of antidepressant.

I hope this helps