[annielovesbacon]

Hi all,
I was just diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. I am going to meet with my doctor on Tuesday to discuss mood stabilizers (I have been taking various antidepressants for the past two years with no success).
I'm sure he will be able to explain their effects and side effects to me, but I'm interested to hear everyone's personal stories. I know meds affect everyone differently, but I know pretty much nothing about mood stabilizers, and I'm just curious what you all have experienced.

[TicTacGo]

My mood stabilizer is lithium. It helped regulate my ups and downs.

When I had a hospitalization due to an episode, (which not all people experience after already being on a mood stabilizer) I was tried on a few antipsychotics/neuroleptics until I found the right match for me.

Point is that you may not even need more than the right stabilizer, whether it be lithium, valproate or lamotrigine.

[WildcatVet]

Personally for me...lithium is the gold standard and it is the only true mood stabilizer. Lamictal, Topomax, Tegretol, etc. are anticonvulsants which can have some effect in controlling mood swings.
I took lithium along with Abilify for years and it was a perfect combination...for me.

[still_crazy]

hi. for bipolar II, I think lamictal is increasingly popular.

[*Laurie*]

Lamictal works for a lot of people. It didn't do anything for me. Lithium seems to be very helpful for stabilizing my moods.

[Biteplate]

Lamictal works better than lithium for me. Lithium made my memory really bad.