Bipolar 2

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For those with diagnosed bipolar 2 and are on mood stabilizers how controlled are your symptoms and episodes? Long story short I am officially diagnosed with depression and anxiety but on mood stabilizer Lamotrigine due to hypomania with depression meds. My psychiatrist said I would be rediagnosed if I have anymore episodes. I’ve had more episodes but I haven’t said anything since I have a security clearance. I’m thinking of coming clean but I don’t think there will ever be a world free of symptoms. I just don’t know if it’s really worth coming clean

I was diagnosed recently with Bipolar 2, but I’ve been on a mood stabilizer for years since anti depressants and anti anxiety medications seemed to make my episodes worse. I’ve been on Effexor for at least 6 years now, and it makes me kind of at a neutral state. I somewhat feel numb emotionally in a way, but in my opinion it’s better than feeling as depressed as I get or as manic as I can get. It’s a little upsetting that I don’t really feel a lot, but after years of being unmedicated or mismedicated, it’s somewhat of a relief. And I have been able to find happiness easier in things now than I used to be. I get in my depressed episodes a lot less and usually bounce back to a normal state faster. I used to have anxiety attacks daily, now they’re maybe 3-4 times a month. I’m in a manic state maybe 2-4 days out of the month now.
Honestly I would tell your psych, it can get bearable if you ask for a different medication and find one that works for you. I usually give them about 3-4 weeks, and if I don’t feel like it’s working I’ll ask for it to change. But if you feel even worse(Wellbutrin gave me extreme suicidal thoughts and motivation to do so) tell them immediately. I think I was on Wellbutrin for maybe a week before we decided to yank me off of that.

Rediagnosed to what? I have Bipolar I Disorder with Psychotic Features. What constitutes another episode? Depressive or hypomanic?

Occasional depression but not really. It’s mainly hypomania

So what are they going to change it to?

I'm sure your a hell of a lot more stable than Trump & he's allowed to be commander n chief of the military & have the nuclear missile codes.

I was originally diagnosed with bipolar 2 by my GP when I was going through a psychotic depression. I was put on an antidepressant, an antipsychotic, & Lithium. I saw a psych for 5 years & I did have some symptoms but the meds helped hold me together while I worked on myself in various ways. I was able to quit the meds after the 5 years but I got on some psych meds since then. I realized BAD anxiety during my 1st relationship caused me to majorly screw things up & it triggered my mental breakdown. I researched anxiety meds & got on Buspar/Buspirone. It's unique in that it's specially for anxiety & isn't an antidepressant or benzo. It helps my anxiety a lot & maybe it'll be worth trying for you Anewbie if you haven't yet. I got on some other psych meds since then too but I'm not gonna go into it since my issues are different than yours & i highly doubt I'd qualify for the bipolar 2 label now. Have you tried antipsychotics? They're usually used for bipolar along with mood stabilizers & some can help with depression. They might could help with anxiety in some cases but they're not commonly used just for anxiety.