I was first diagnosed 3 years ago at the grippy sock place. Then assessed again 1.5 years ago by a psychiatrist and assessed again last week by a therapist. I had a year stretch of being on abilify and lamactal with zero improvement in my behavior and actually fell into the worst depression of my life.

I’ve also tried seroquel and risperdal. Seroquel was helpful in reducing my paranoia but no change outside of that. I’ve been on a laundry list of medication over the last decade from antipsychotics to benzos and SSRIs before the bipolar diagnosis.

I’m currently unmedicated and I don’t know what to do. I had awful side effects with abilify and I don’t know if I’m so mentally ill that I’m being uncooperative about my diagnosis or what.

I’m also diagnosed with PTSD and OCD. Ive been in a depressive episode for almost 4 months now and I am desperate to get out and not make it worse. If I had bipolar wouldn’t the mood stabilizers and antipsychotics be effective? According to my last assessment, I meet all criteria for diagnosis :( have I just not found the right medication?