What you describe is so bloody familiar. I've been to two docs in the past who were ready to make a PRONOUNCEMENT -- as if they were sodding kings -- of what I had in about 10 minutes. Time has proven both to be off the mark. And even if one had hit on the accurate diagnosis by some miracle, bipolar disorder with rapid cycling, I'd still not have believed it. Mind you, I think anything a therapist or pdoc says needs to be taken with a grain of salt. The good ones will admit that at best they're making educated guesses -- and that admission of fallibility tends to cultivate trust in me more than an attempt to come across as omniscient. The good pdocs, like mine now, will even cop to the fact that they don't really understand the biochemical mechanisms by which ANY psychotropic meds work. I mean, lithium is a SALT, for God's sake -- how does a salt act as a mood stabilizer? In any case, you're spot on with your conclusion: if your gut reaction tells you that the diagnosis being foisted on you doesn't fit your symptoms, don't let yourself get talked into believing something that may be inaccurate. I let it happen to me in the past, and it's easy, because I felt so vulnerable and wanted answers and proactive steps taken quick as possible. But the wrong medicine follows the wrong diagnosis, and that can really get you into it up to your neck. So keep being skeptical -- it's a healthy attitude to bring to any session with a pdoc or therapist. Ta. Cheshire Cat