Tegretol and pristiq

I've been on tegretol for about 15 years since being diagnosed with Epilepsy - temporal lobe. I had surgery in 2009 and haven't had seizures since. Still, i was told to continue my medication TEGRETOL on a low dosage of 200 mg/day for the rest of my life. I have, however, also had high anxiety and medium depression since surgery, and have been on SSRI anti-depressants too. The problem is, my levels of anxiety and depression have been escalating and even suicide is a common thought. I nearly lost it the other day, not the first time, therefore went straight to a shrink. She wants to put me on a new anti-depress but I'm quite worried as they have terrible side effects. I know my anxiety doesn't help. Anyway, I decided to increase my tegretol levels to 400mg/day and am already feeling better. I know it's a mood stabiliser too, which is probably the reason. I'm now off anti-depress. But the shrink still says I have to take the anti-dep Pristiq. Does anybody take these meds together? What are the side effects? I have been telling drs for years that I believe I have bi-polar, as I'm often on highs or lows, and have had this for years, even before my epilepsy began when I was 14. My mother and maternal grand-father also suffered bi-polar disorder, so I do remember the episodes...does anybody know whether they feel calmer on tegretol, even just 400mg/day, or do they need to take an anti-depress. too?

Thanks, as I feel so lost.