Hey Bex,
For me venlafaxine was the holy grail. Before that I was put on Prozac, Zoloft and some other random AD that made me crash in a week.......However, after being diagnosed with clinical depression, my lovely AD seemed to make me go nice and hypomanic a couple of times and then I got diagnosed with biploar 2 and put on depakote/ Eplim.
I have had different shrinks have different opinions on my diagnosis but it was my choice. Sometimes people don't understand the level of control one has on what you disclose in a short session with a rotating SHO who never met you before.
I found CBT was helpful in the beginning. Extremely.
Taking meds or compliance is a personal decision. I have messed up a couple times, hated how the meds make me feel, been sick of the amount of meds I take and forgot..............the point is I choose to take meds. As a result I try to talk to my doc when I forget or felt changes of moods. My meds have been altered slightly at my request over the years and that part of the client doctor relationship is probably why I keep going to my sessions.
There is no quick fix. A diagnosis is only a guideline for the doc- everyone is unique. Bipolar is a very difficult diagnosis to make- but very treatable. If being a jerk were I diagnosis I would probably have a dual diagnosis sometimes.
You are not alone. Don't underestimate the support that your partner can provide especially in identifying your mood changes before things go too far. I used to go to A&E if I wanted to SH. My shrink got really pissed off and said I wasn't coping but I didn't cut so I didn't care what they thought. I can't do that anymore and it is really scary. Explore your options- support groups/ hotlines/ advocates/ support workers.........
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