Hello all,

I always suspected I had ADHD, and I approached a psychiatric hospital. I was a bit skeptical since India isn't known for good psychiatric care hospitals. I spoke to a psychiatrist first, who recommended a psychologist. I spoke to her, and she gave me a series of tests or personality. What came out of this was that I'm definitely bipolar, and I have ADHD atop of this. It explained... SO MANY THINGS. My manic episodes made me a productivity beast, while by depressive episodes made it so that I couldn't do even the simplest tasks. I am a software developer, so this was really hard to explain at work.

The doctor prescribed Lamotrigine, which I take 75mg of now. I am on my 3rd week(increased from 25 to 50 to 75 now) and I see the doctor again in 3 weeks, but I can tell that this med is making a HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I don't feel angry when my work quality is compromised by the lack of enthusiasm on the part of my colleagues. I don't get angry when my father asks how to take a screenshot on his phone for the 800th time. I don't get sad just because something small happened. I am able to read again. I took time off from work last week to rejuvenate and I managed to read 2 books without guilty! That's the first time in ages that I have been able to read without losing interest.

I feel like I'm able to concentrate better, that I'm able to do more things, make better use of my time. I started waking up at 5 am, manage to listen to a full Huberman Podcast episode, do some mild cardio (I'm building up the strength to start skipping - I'm almost 30 kg overweight), and I'm able to read a few pages before 10 AM.

I used to write stories 11 years ago. I have a couple of unfinished novels that I want to get back to, as well as some passion projects related to programming. I am beginning to believe that I can do this in 2022.

I hope others find the same sort of luck as I have. I'm glad I didn't need to try multiple medications before I found the right one, seeing a few other posts here, I felt maybe Lamotrigine might not help. The only side effect I have is mild diarrhoea once or twice, but it could also be the food I'm eating.