Is there any warning? Please help...

My doctors insist that I have BP, undetermined type 1 or 2, as well as PTSD and panic disorder. I would tend to argue with them on the BP because my episodes seem to be geared toward the depressive rather than the manic, but they are the doctors. Anyway, my question is, are there any warning signs that anyone notices that a depressive episode is about to happen? I don't seem to slowly slip into it, rather the floor drops out from under me and I am buried in it in a second. This morning I am making coffee, thinking about the good day I am going to have with my brother who is in from out of town when boom!, I am near tears for no reason that I can figure out. When is this going to end? I want the medications (lithium, risperidol, trazadone, prazosin) to help my depression as well as my mania. In fact, I feel I could deal with being wildly impulsive more than I can this ever-blackening depression. I don't know that knowing it was coming would be any help, but at least I wouldn't be so crushed when it swallowed me up. Any ideas or input?

So sorry. I can't offer much help but I too have the type of mood that says I can deal with the manic and it's no problem and I'm not and neither are they sure I'm bp but it's the depressive that so suddenly knocks you down that horrible. I relate to that. I understand. It just comes throughout the body and not just an emotional thing that happens. So tough to help yourself. I know that if I can get doing something physical that that helps. I happen to love exercise but when this happens I have to drag myself to do something, bike, walk, etc. Going outside and finding something to do will help also. It doesn't take away the bad but it makes it manageable. I'm sorry I don't have too much to offer other than another person who understands and has had a tiny bit of experience with this.
Please have some hope.