Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

I understand your concerns regarding your diagnosis and further treatment plans. It must be difficult trying to deal with your depressive symptoms as well as carry out your family responsibilities. Now, let me clarify things for you so that you can have a better understanding regaring you diagnosis and treatment options.

Bipolar 2 is a type of mood disorder which is characterised by predominant episodes of depression with at least one hypomanic episode. (Hypomania is a mild form of mania, which is the other extreme of depression, where there is mood elevation). In Bipolar 2, the person has not suffered from any full blown manic episode in the past. The treatment for a Bipolar 2 mood disorder is with mood stabilizers. Sodium valproate, which you have been recently started on, is a mood stabilizer medication. In addition to mood stabilizers, some people may require anti-depressant medication to treat acute depressive episodes. But, anti-depressants are never given alone, since it can pose a risk of precipitating a hypomanic episode.

PTSD (anxiety, flashbacks of the traumatic event, along with avoidance of any memories related to the event and a state of hyperarousal. PTSD is treated with psychotherapy and antidepressants. Zoloft (Sertraline is an anti-depressant medication.

Now, it is important to know that having a past diagnosis of PTSD does not mean that you cannot be diagnosed to have a mood disorder later on in life. Like I mentioned before, PTSD is purely a stress-related disorder which is a direct consequence of a severe mental trauma. It is quite possible that the same person can go on to suffer from further episodes of depression or hypomania later in life, thus warranting a diagnosis of a Bipolar 2 mood disorder.

So, I think that your diagnosis and treatment is in the right track and you don't have to be concerned about this. Moreover, mood stabilizer medication are the treatment of choice in Bipolar mood disorders. With regard to Sodium Valproate, you may experience some drowsiness due to the medication initially, but usually, these side effects are prominent only in the initial few weeks and you'll soon be able to overcome them.

So, I don't think you have to be too worried whether you'll be put on a roller-coaster of drugs and become drowsy and incapacitaed. It would be a good idea to keep talking to and confiding in someone close to you (a close friend or a relative). This will help you offload some emotional burden and stress and feel more supported. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to be as stress-free as possible, think positively and be persistent in your efforts. I'm sure that with appropriate therapy, you'll be able to come out of this phase and overcome your problems soon.

Wish you all the best.

- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist

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