[ducky2030]

I have been on tripatal for a while and it really helps dampen my moods down. I don't get severely depressed or hypomanic as much as I used to. BUT I still have some depression, I brought it up to my doctor and she asked if i had motivation and I was like, its ok. My motivation is "ok" meaning I still do what I have to do such as school, chores, run errands. But that's it I find it extremely hard to keep a consistent mood of optimism or motivation. Periodically, I still have some mild hypomania and those are the times where Im very productive with my freelance work, but aside from that I just feel.."blah". Im not sure if this is serious enough to warrant meds or not.

[Victoria'smom]

You shouldn't have to feel blah. My husband and son have to be on antidepressents to function. As far as we know both are BP.

[clydeblack]

Maybe you have functional depression? Depression doesn't always have to appear debilitating. Maybe something at a low does might help?

[tecomsin]

I also have functional depression. Will follow this thread too. I can't take regular antidepressants because they make me manic. Wellbutrin helped lift me up out of my worst depression but then it just made me very anxious and had to get off of it. You could also try changing out trileptal with something else like lithium.

[surfzulu]

Originally Posted by artsygirl88

I have been on tripatal for a while and it really helps dampen my moods down. I don't get severely depressed or hypomanic as much as I used to. BUT I still have some depression, I brought it up to my doctor and she asked if i had motivation and I was like, its ok. My motivation is "ok" meaning I still do what I have to do such as school, chores, run errands. But that's it I find it extremely hard to keep a consistent mood of optimism or motivation. Periodically, I still have some mild hypomania and those are the times where Im very productive with my freelance work, but aside from that I just feel.."blah". Im not sure if this is serious enough to warrant meds or not.

Try all natural maca root for your depression. Worked better than 7 previous anti-depressants for me. Very little exhaustion. Try trader joes if you have one by you the powder is cheap $5 a bag that will last about two months. If the powder is too nasty even mixed in flavored beverage check out Piping Rock.com and get the 1600 mg capsules and start with two of those a day. If not enough effect increase to 3 or 4. On the powder i take a tblspn a day but i am 300 pounds so watch out for mania. If you get too agitated reduce dosage. Great alternate to coffee and a great libido enhancer to boot. Good luck you are not alone.

[HALLIEBETH87]

If you cant make your own neurotransmitters, store bought is fine