hi..i have understood your concern and query.. u have been diagnosed as bipolar disorder but it must be of type 2 variety..because the depression part is more prominent in bipolar type 2 disorder which characterized by alternative episodes of depression and hypomania...predominantly depression.. about the treatment of bipolar type 2 disorder, following are the treatment options: 1. quetiapine [ an antipsychotic medication which has been approved by USFDA as a monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder type 2] start it with 100 mg at night and gradually increase the dosage to the sustained [SR] preparation of 400 to 700 mg in a day..it will show benefit within 15 days.. 2. lamotrigine [it is a antiepileptic drug, used as a add on medication for the control of different kind of seizures, also approved by USFDA for treatment of bipolar type 2 disorder recently] it shud be started with a low dose of 12.5 mg twice a day and gradually increase the dosage upto 200 to 400 mg in day , depending upon the effect of the drug..but if u develop any kind skin rash or any skin reaction, then stop it immediately and report to the psychiatrist and dermatologist...it is quite effective for control of bipolar type 2 disorder.. 3. combination of fluoxetine and olanzapine, which is also approved by USFDA for the same disorder..like fostera [5], fostera [10].... 4. lithium, is also a very good drug for the control of the bipolar depression.. but before starting lithium u have to read some precautions regarding its use...lithium is effective in very narrow range of plasma concentration so u have to go for serum lithium level after starting the drug...and so many precautions and common side effects are there..u can read it from the net.. u shud stop fluoxetine or add olanzapine 10 mg at night to it..u ll find it beneficial.. otherwise start lamotrigirne or quetiapine.. i hope this advice will be helpful to you.. best luck..