I was very sorry to hear about your trials surrounding your BPD. Honestly, from what you have described, it sounds like you have Bipolar I Disorder. Your auditory hallucinations disqualify you for a diagnosis of bipolar II. Anyway, my advice to you would be to become very educated about your disorder. Most doctors are not very educated about this disease and it's clinical and biological manifestations. For example, two days ago I went to the doctor and he tried to put me on Elavil!!! Elavil has a tendency to throw BPs into a manic phase. We react unusually to many medications and it takes a very knowledgeable physician to correctly diagnosis and treat our disorders. I say this because, Paxil (like some other SSRIs) also can instigate mania in some BPs (like myself). Honestly, lithium is the drug that works best for me. I struggle with treatment too. Lithium, while working wonderfully for me, has it's negative effects too. After a short period of time, I loose visual tracking ability. Consequently, I NEVER take it as prescribed. While I would never suggest this administration for anyone else, it works great for me. Anyway, I wish you good luck for life.

Kim Whitley

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