jacko replied: "See bipolar disorder, at in section 10. Bipolar usually involves major moodswings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over months, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I'd try the Lithium Orotate, enhanced with Folic acid, and take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, and see how that goes, over several weeks, and maintaining the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2. If not considerably improved (or at least comparable with your present condition) consult your primary mental health care provider. You would need to do this anyway, switching from Lithium Carbonate, or Citrate, to the Orotate, to avoid over/underdosing, but the reduced side effects and risks make it a worthwhile proposition. If bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic, like Lamictal, is also required. If you are happy with your current situation, add the Omega 3, for other health benefits: see TASKBAR. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his partner, and also Dr. Mercola, at and avoid antidepressants. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as herbal remedies (none of which have been conclusively demonstrated to work with severe depression). If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need days, or even a few weeks to reach full effectiveness. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several weeks, to several months, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. I'd just thank the doctor, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for several weeks, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it. Your psychiatrist has been indoctrinated by the reps from Big Pharma, and you are being experimented on, like a guinea pig, only one who pays through the nose, twice, (psych. bill & medications) to experience the adverse side effects. Examine the 1-800-therapist website, and use the locators in section 1, and phone book to find a psychologist (they don't prescribe, so are less influenced by the sales reps hype) who advocates minimal necessary psychopharmaceuticals, and get a doctor to provide the prescriptions."