I need some strategies and advice. How do you guys cope? What helps you carry on with your days?

I’m not in the pit of despair, but I’m too depressed to play video games or even watch TV shows. I would rather do nothing, and I do mean nothing, than anything else. I need to be higher functioning to keep up with schoolwork, a job, and my relationship. 

On an antipsychotic (ziprasidone) that’s keeping the worst of the depression at bay. I was on a mood stabilizer (lamotrigine), but the brain fog and fatigue actually made me feel worse and greatly reduced my functioning. Current pdoc won’t prescribe antidepressants. I’m at the point right now where I’m abusing energy drinks and now caffeine pills to give myself a little pep to get through a day and avoid acting like a depressed person around company, with only limited success.

I need to pull out of this. I know at some point it will end, but my bipolar is characterized by very long periods of depression. This could go on for well over a year, and we’re on over six months yet. 

Any and all advice is welcome and appreciated.