On behalf of the entire Psych Central community, I’d like to welcome you to the site! I’m looking forward to your future entries.

Hi Kathryn -

Thanks for checking out the blog! I am glad that you like the site.

In terms of Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Lamictal (lamotrigine) there are no specific reported negative effects to such a combination. Of course, everyone is different and there may be other medications or factors involved when judging risks, but all on their own they do not contraindicate one another. Many times Lamictal is added to antidepressants to boost the antidpressant effect and/or to reduce cycling frequency – of depressive and manic episodes.

I don’t know the most recent statistics on misdiagnosis – the numbers are fluid because of the shifting approach to diagnosis of bipolar disorder in adults and children. But there is a solid percentage of people who present and are diagnosed with major depression who will ultimately show symptoms of bipolar disorder. Many people report having spent several years between their initial symptoms and a correct diagnosis even when they are presenting with manic or hypomanic symtpoms. Doctors must be vigilant in taking symptom histories from people presenting with depression to try to avoid these difficulties.

Hope this helps!

Candida Fink MD