It's not uncommon for individuals to have multiple mental health conditions or symptoms that overlap. In your case, your psychiatrist mentioned that you have mood swings but primarily experience depression and anxiety. This suggests that you might have features of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by periods of depression and periods of elevated mood known as mania or hypomania.
When a psychiatrist prescribes both antidepressants and mood stabilizers, it can indicate a few possibilities:
Unipolar depression with anxiety: Your psychiatrist might believe that your mood swings and symptoms can be attributed mainly to depression and anxiety. In this case, the mood stabilizer could be prescribed to help prevent any potential risk of inducing mania or hypomania that can occur when taking antidepressants alone in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder or Bipolar depression: If your psychiatrist suspects that your mood swings might be due to bipolar disorder, they may prescribe mood stabilizers to address the depressive and potential manic or hypomanic symptoms.
Treatment of mixed features: Sometimes, individuals with bipolar disorder can experience both depressive and hypomanic/manic symptoms simultaneously, which is referred to as "mixed features." In such cases, both antidepressants and mood stabilizers can be prescribed to manage these complex symptoms.
It's important to note that the use of medication in mental health treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and the choice of medications depends on the individual's specific symptoms, medical history, and other factors. Your psychiatrist's diagnosis and treatment plan are based on their evaluation of your unique situation.
If you have any concerns or questions about your diagnosis or treatment, I recommend discussing them openly with your psychiatrist. They can provide you with more specific information about their reasoning behind the prescribed medications and help you understand your mental health better. Additionally, if you ever feel unsure about your diagnosis or treatment plan, seeking a second opinion from another mental health professional can be a helpful step.