Hi, i'm mia. I was diagnosed 8 years ago and have been thru the ups and downs that you are now experiencing. First, I wanted to know where you are from ( genereal area, country) it just helps to know when giving advice, because things work differently in different countries.
If you do any research, you will find out that almost all manic-depressives miss the manic states. You feel free and creative and that anything is possible. Unfortunately, your judgement is severly impaired when you are in this state. So, even if you think you are being brilliant and witty and the life of the party, others are not so amused. It is difficult and can take many years to find the right doctors and medicines to make you feel the just right combination of slightly manic, but normal.
Have patience but be an active participant in your treatment. Read back through the postings in this forum that you think apply to you, read a lot of them it is very helpful. Do your own research. Find a doctor that communicates with you, not talks at you. Not every doctor is right for every person, but don't just look for a doctor that is going to tell you what you want to hear! Find one that is open to incorporating natural supplements, but this will mean research on your or your doctors part. Every medicine can have a reaction with another, weather it is natural or manmade. I have found that is is always best to only add one or two medications at a time, if you change too many things, you won't know what is working and what is not.
There are many great writers, composers, painter and poet who were bi-polar or had depression. So remember great things are still possible. All things come to those who wait. Again, be patient but be pro-active.
Good luck
mia
