This is what I see. I was diagnosed just about a year ago. There are some drugs that can be effective. They never know which one will work, so they just keep switching you till you stop complaining about side effects and mood.

The newer drugs seem to have the worst side effects,mbut they push them anyway. Some cost over $30 a ill vs older drugs which have passed the test of time and are pennys on the dollar.

With all the information at our fingertips, just give use acess to the drugs. The ones with low potential for abuse at least. I'm talking about standard mood stabilizers and Anti-depressants.

Here's how I stopped with my pdoc. I was seeing a counsler. After my mood was stabilized, I/ we decided I didn't realy need to see him. He was so booked up anyway, and I had to take off work to fit in. Then, 2 weeks later I show for my pdoc appointment. At the scheduled time I realized there were a lot of new faces in the waiting room. I asked the receptionist how long it might be. She said there were FIVE ahead of me. I was tired and starving (5:30PM). I told her I'd reschedule. Didn't want o at that time. I just wanted to leave, so I said I'd call. The next day I realized I was out of antidepressant. Called the pharmacy, and was told the pdoc cancelled all my prescriptions. Just fuck this money mill. They put you though physical and financial hell testing if your a candidate for new high priced drugs, and then shit on you if you say the cheaper ones work better, then shit on you if you threaten their bottom line.

Also, i found a much lowe dose on mood stabilizer than the industry says is the "proper range" works, they insist on switching you. I's insane. Anyway, since I was taking low doses, I have enough depikote to last another 6 months. After that, maybe I'll just start weighing out doses of cheap pure lithium carbonate I have on the lab shelf.. :) I want to be my owm physician, and heal myself. If this was a free country, it would be awesome.