[shutterbug]

hi, i took lamictal for quite a while and it really helped me stay focused and clear headed. The side-affect i had with it was my acne got out of control -- worse than when i was a teenager. I know others who have talked of this same side affect, but i also know the extreme amount of stress i was under had to also be contributing to the skin problems.

anyway, i've been in the hospital twice. Both times were very pleasant for me....especially the first one. Being in the hospital, and knowing i'd be there for a few days, took LOADS of stress from my shoulders....b/c in there...all i had to think about was getting better and taking care of myself.

Know this....the diagnosis is positively a good thing...as now he can start working to find a treatment that will work for him...and also b/c he will be able to help himself not get worse and then not understand why.

It's a lot of hard times being bipolar, but it was a lot harder for me when I didn't know I was and therefore had no understanding of what would happen to me from time to time.

=== also, with your sister or anyone....know that a person with bipolar disorder can seem perfectly fine for several years and then things slowly (or sometimes quickly) can start to fall apart. I myself am only currently medicated with 2 anti-depressants ....and i know that i can not continue much longer without a mood-stabalizer or else i will end up causing my brain (and life) more damage. Anyway, i guess I'm just wanting to point out that even tho your sister may be "stable" right now even tho she's only on an anti-d.....that doesn't mean she will stay stable. I just felt the need to point that out as it could really have a negative influence on your boyfriend's future if he were to get it stuck in his head that he doesn't need a mood-stabalizer (like the Lamictal - which i believe is among the best to be prescribed for especially those newly diagnosed).

Of course, all this is my self-educated, personal opinion.

best wishes,
Jenna