What is the best treatment for the depression in someone with bipolar affective disorder?

See below: Antidepressants will help with managing depression, while mood stabilizers will help with managing manic sx. Also, psychotherapy will help with comping with sx and building up awareness of your sx. Creating a "crisis card" for people to contact and things to do when your symptoms become overwhelming. Qualified mental health professional will help guiding you through the process.

Mood stabilizer: Most mood stabilizers used in the treatment of bipolar disorder treat both the depression and mania. An adjustment in the dose of the medication and some psychosocial intervention may be all that is needed during a depressive phase. Anti depressants alone are not recommended. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms continue or worsen.

Eval: Get a full psychiatric evaluation for bipolar disorder. If bipolar disorder is found, then medications, typically mood stabilizers will be prescribed. Therapy is also strongly indicated. If The evaluation is negative for bipolar disorder, medication still may be needed. In that case therapy is also strongly indicated.