One could argue that a mood stabilizer while it won't get rid of the depression it may reduce it. If it works you could argue from there

I don't think any doctor would prescribe a mood stabilizer without a diagnosis - it would be reckless - they are pretty serious meds with some pretty serious downside.

ok, some basic questions.

Where are you? As in what country

When you say you can't get a doctor to diagnose you, do you mean you can't get an appointment or you have seen doctors and they won't diagnose you with bipolar.

If the latter what is it that they say.

And what is it that makes you think you are bipolar rather than something like borderline personality disorder?

Are you seeing a psychiatrist regularly now?.... I was wondering some of the same things as acuriousfish?

Big hug....xo

A consultant psychiatrist is the only o e who can give you a diagnosis for Bipolar. If you suffer manic episodes then they may give you a mood stabilizer

I'm not sure what country a "consultant psychiatrist" lives in...but in the U.S. only a Psychiatrist can give a Diagnosis of BiPolar and treat with medication. When you say "Dr." what kind of Dr. are you seeing?

And when you say, "I know I'm BiPolar, how do you know that?" Most people with BiPolar are the complete opposite, they don't know they have BiPolar Disorder, they fight the Diagnosis for a while before ever accepting it, and think they're fine most of the time...." Depression is not an indicator of BiPolar Disorder, there are about 3 more requirements that you're missing.

Have you seen a Psychiatrist more than once, for repeat evaluation, the same Psychiatrist, and is that Psychiatrist saying you're not BiPolar?

Mood Stabilizers for the most part tend to be in the Anti-Psychotic family and as Fish stated they are very serious drugs with very serious side effects...any reputable Pdoc would not prescribe them just because a patient thinks they need them. The other side of the coin is, they don't tend to manage Depression most of the time, especially if its Uni-Polar Depression.

You have to have the right mix of medications to handle the "Multiple Symptoms of BiPolar Disorder".....

You only mention Depression...what other symptoms do you have?

Have you tried a second opinion? Something my psychiatrist once told me is that he’s not worried about the illness persist. He said he is not treating my illness, merely the symptoms. Does that make sense? If you aren’t getting relief, I recommend seeking another opinion. Do you also see a therapist? Therapy has helped me to better understand myself and my thought processes. I also recommend And intensive outpatient program, also called IOP. I have done IOP multiple times and it has been immensely helpful

Bumping this as it got pushed off the page. Hopefully the original poster will come back and answer

Okay. Thanks guys!

So that's it, your not going to answer any questions...just going to ride off into the sunset....

Guess when I posted this I didn't think about how complicated the issues is really is and how some details are too private to share. I have went to many counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrist since 12 years old. I've been reevaluated more than once and tried almost every single anti depressant under the sun. They write it off as crappy life situations, ADHD depression and anxiety. Every single day for over half of my life I have had to fight to wake up, to feel some kind of "happiness". I didn't always think I needed help but when I hit rock bottom and tried to kill myself 6 years ago, i realized I truly do need help. If that doesn't make u realize u help, I don't know what will. I started to do research. maybe it isn't bipolar maybe it is borderline personality. Who knows. I do know that I don't want to live anymore and i need true help. I am sorry. I didn't realize my unwillingness to disclose extremely private issues to the whole group. Sorry guys. Thanks for ur help. I will look into some of the things you suggested. I have to go work now. Have a good day.

Sorry you've been in such a dark place for so long.

I went through kinda' the opposite of you, and so have a few others here - wrongfully misdiagnosed as bipolar for many years. I had the crushing suicidal depression of Bipolar 2, and the full-on psychosis of Bipolar 1, but I never had the elevated, manic self thing. But the doctors didn't want to hear it. I am treatment resistant, so when I'd have bad reactions and need to be committed, they just thought it was par for the course (antipsychotics and even antidepressants have put me in hospital too)

So I just kept butting heads and going to see other doctors (I'm Canadian, so doesn't cost me a cent, just long waits) until I finally found a doctor who was up on the latest treatments and diagnosis protocols, and got properly diagnosed with PTSD comorbid with psychotic depression.

From there, found the right meds, and whataya' know...I think it's been 6 or 7 years since I've been in a psyche ward.

So keep pushing. Try and find a younger doctor who is fresher out of medical school, and more versed in the newest treatments, and less inclined to just check convenient boxes. Put in the time and be totally open and honest, even though it really does suck telling your deepest darkness to strangers, it's worth it.