Can you answer Whitney S’s question about Depression?:

A co-worker who has a background in counseling told me today that she thinks that I am bipolar. I am already on medication for clinical depression, but it hasn’t been diagnosed as anything other than a seratonin imbalance. I sleep a normal amount: 6-7 hours a night. I feel good, but not high. I haven’t had a depressive episode since my most recent ex broke up with me for a married man she had been cheating on me with (I call that a mitigating circumstance). The only warning sign that I agreed with (she felt that I was over-confident and moving “a million miles an hour” which I attribute to a new excercise regime and weight loss) was that I spend money compulsively, but I have always been something of a wastrel. Opinions? I can’t afford to see my doctor right now, but am planning on going ASAP.
Telling me that bi-polar and manic-depression are the same thing is not helpful at all. I’m after personal experience and advice here, not help with semantics. So please, if that’s all you have to say, don’t.

I agree that a background in counseling isn’t proper qualification for a diagnosis but that was what sparked this introspection. I’d rather ask professionals and others with similar background and experiences and get told “no, your current meds are fine” (Lexapro 10mg by the way) than not ask and never know for sure.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Can you answer Leroy B’s question about Depression?:

So I talked to a doctor about my anxiety and depression issues, and recommended Lexapro and Lorazepam. I just want to known how people have reacted to the drugs, have they helped, are you better than before?? How so?

Beck Depression Inventory