[moodiegirl]

Just wondering... I was diagnosed with bipolar 6 years ago after a manic/psychotic episode and then depression. Since then, I'm on meds and haven't had any manic episode at all. Is it possible that the meds help me not to be manic, but they're not helping me with depression? Because I've had many depressive episodes since then, but no mania. Does this still mean that I have bipolar?
I'm currently taking Lamictal and Abilify. I don't want antidepressants anymore, they either have side effects I can't tolerate or they don't work at all.

[moremi]

I believe the meds work best towards the manic side. I have been in a depression for a very long time. I just have recently within the last couple of days felt ok enough to be out of my house. My doctor just started me on abilify 10mg to help aide my antidepressant. Ive only been on it for a week but i seem to be responding to it and have had no luch with anything thus far besides abilify.

I hope you begin to feel better. I also think going outside in the sunshine has helped me too. Just a thought.

[BuggsBunny]

Lamictal and abilify are both common drugs used to treat Bipolar, so I'd say that yes, you still have it. Bipolar isn't something that just goes away, it is a lifelong condition. Lamictal also can help with depression, so talk to your pdoc about the depressive episodes. There are a lot of a-d drugs on the market, and if your pdoc agrees that it safe, you can experiment with them until you find one that works for you.

[venusss]

There are many conditions and even emotional states that can mimic bipolar though, imho.

If the episode was triggered by some specific event, it could be very much it.

Also depends on how bad your depressive episodes are.

Not saying you do or don't have it, but I don't think that being diagnosed is a decisive factor determining if you indeed have condition. Because... misdiagnosis do happen. So maybe it'd be good to do a review and get second opinion and go on from there.

[moodiegirl]

Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to beat depression with being outside in the sun and doing other things that make me feel better. Maybe I'll consider antidepressants again if things worsen.

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

There are many conditions and even emotional states that can mimic bipolar though, imho.

If the episode was triggered by some specific event, it could be very much it.

Also depends on how bad your depressive episodes are.

Not saying you do or don't have it, but I don't think that being diagnosed is a decisive factor determining if you indeed have condition. Because... misdiagnosis do happen. So maybe it'd be good to do a review and get second opinion and go on from there.

I'm almost certain that I had a manic episode back then. I was feeling too high, started partying big time (which wasn't like me at all) and also started dating a lot, which I never had before due to my shyness. I also had no need for sleep or food. It wasn't triggered by any event I think, it just happened. My depressive episodes vary. It just seems strange to me that I never feel really "high" anymore.