[Geranium]

Hi bright side,
A GP is unlikely to make a diagnosis of bipolar, so they would refer you to a psychiatrist.

I understand the fear of having something considered to be life-long, but in practise "recovery" is a complex thing, depending on the individual, their specific condition, and how they respond to treatment. If the doctors are missing information they cannot treat you as effectively. But in the end the name they give it on paper is not the key factor.

I have recurrent depression. I was assessed for bipolar 2 and they decided I don't have it, just tendencies. However I am now on a mood-stabiliser. (Anti-depressants didn't help and seemed to make the mood crashes worse.)

So I think the main question is really whether it's worth you trying a mood stabiliser. If so Lamotrigine is worth asking about as it has fewer side effects and is meant to be helpful with depression.

Talking therapies including CBT can be useful for both unipolar depression and bi-polar.