Wellbutrin is an antidepressent it works for depression. Mood stabalizers work for both mania and depression and different ones can work better for either end of the spectrum. Mood stabalizers are things like lithium, lamictal, depakote, tegretol and a whole slew of other ones. Many mood stabilizers are also anti-seizure medications.

Antidepressants have been known to throw bps into a manic state, although Wellbutrin is one of the "safest" w. bp.

This is the gist of the knowledge I have gathered on the subject Im sure others will be able to flesh it out better.

I take Wellbutrin and have for yrs. it's a good antidepressant. I'm bp2 also. I also take Abilify and antipsychotic that helps control mania and hypomania. I've done really well on it.

I take lithium which has been wonderful to me despite the side effects,I have been on depakote and the weight gain was horrible each time I tried it I put on lg amounts of weight.Good luck:)

I take 300mg Seroquel XR (timed release). It's given me my life back. I know it's not the same for everyone, but if you have anxiety...it's completely gone!
Abliby and Geodon are similar type meds. They are really atypical antipsychotics, but they've been used as mood stabilizers for quite awhile now.
Good luck! xxoo

Hi. I have bipolar 2 also and currently take Geodon and Lamictal for mood stabilization, which work wonderful! I have kept the doses low so I don't lose my personality. You might want to look further into them.

Depakote,is a mood stabilizer,i am currently taking it,the only bad side effect that i have experienced is my hair coming out,i lowered the dose and it has stopped-at least not as much,tegretol,is another lithium,and there are others as well,i hope that you find the one that is right for you.

I have BP2 and take both an antidepressant and a mood stabilzer. I have done ok without the mood stab. but I do much better with it. Something to think about? Good luck with your decision.

Mood Stabilizers: I have been on depakote, trazadone, topomax and seroquel, thus far other than weight gain it has helped the most for the longest period of time.

I'm on trileptal for a mood stabilizer and so far its working GGGGRREAT!!! I'm also on Abilify for the voices and the hypo/mania. So far they have worked wonderfully for me. Good luck!

I am on wellburtin and a mood stablelizer it has done wonders for me..befor when I was just on a depressent didnt work so well

i was on depakote and developed acute pancrititus as a side effect/allergic reaction.
different meds all come with some risk but your doc perscribes them because the benifits far outweigh the sideeffects and risks.

you say you are a newbie so just remember your journey is just beginning. over the years to come there will probably be many changes in your meds cocktail as your doc looks for the best stabilizers. and eventually you can outgrow and become immune to some of your meds.

i currently take lamictal, depakoote, and valium; this is about my 8th cocktail in 10 years

I take Lithium ER...Love It!!!! Saved my life! (mood stabilizer) Brug of choice for BP, and very inexpensive.

reply #1 is right on the money.... i take wellbutrin and lamictal... both are ok...

Hi there. I also have Bipolar and was on Wellbutrin XL 300mg for 6 months. It is the only anti-depressent I've been on that didn't give me any side effects....but it didn't work for me so my bdoc stopped. I am now taking a mood stabilizer called Lithium without any other meds and we are hoping this one med will do the job for me. Your doc is doing what mine did, she is starting you out on an anti-depressent and then adding a mood stabilizer to go with it. Us Bipolar's need to take a combonation of meds to get things working for us, except in some cases where a mood stabilizer alone can do the job...like Lithium. The anti-depressent works for the front part of the brain and the mood stabilizer works with it to help keep things going around without running out of steam. Most people with Bipolar will be misdiagnosed and sent home with just an anti-depressent, which actually makes things up there worse and sometimes fatal. I was mis treated for 10yrs. and was a mess! I went to a speacilist 3yrs ago and now am properly diagnosed and on the right meds. Thank God! I hope your meds work out for you, don't get discouraged if one combo doesn't work, keep good communication open with your bdoc and stay on your meds. I have been keeping a diary and use it at my visits, working with your bdoc and with your meds is the best thing you can do for yourself. You will learn lots about yourself on this journey so keep in touch with us here on DS and message me if you ever want to talk. Hope you have a great day. Love and Prayers Ramona oxxoxoxo

There are a few to choose from. It's just a matter of finding the right fit. Lithium worked well for me, but the side effects were too much. Depakote is working well now, but the weight gain is pissing me off. All I want to do is eat on this stuff, but I have to restrict.

Good luck!