Hi, I was diagnosed bipolar in the summer of 2004. I first went through a mania and then got depressed a few months later. I was depressed for over five months and then I lost my dad to suicide, he was also bipolar. Anyways, we both were on lamictal and so many other anti-depressants. Unfortantly, he never found one that was helpful. I have tried effixor, abilify, lithium, welbutrin, adderall and a few others - until I found one that worked. The only one that worked for me was adderall and lithium. Adderall can be dangerous though since it is an amphedimine and with me (it makes me have no appetite). Anyways, I finally have felt like myself for over 7 months. Im more talkative, social, focused, happy and have goals again.
Everyone is different and with psychiatrists it is sometimes all trial and error when finding a medication that is right for someone. The only reason I am anti-lamictal is becasue it did not work for me and my dad had been on lamictal for only two weeks before he took his own life.
Sorry to be a downer...I didnt mean to turn this into a suicide/depressing response.