Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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How long do meds take to work?

.chloe.
.chloe.

I was just started on Lithium becuase i had a really bad manic episode a few days ago, but i am still feeling hypomanic. I realize that i am not fully manic anymore. From your experience how long did a new med take to bring you down from an episode? and if it will be a while what coping skills are useful for mania? Thanks guys(: 

GOB_Bluth
GOB_Bluth
General rule of thumb, keeping in mind we're all different, is one month for a new med to reach full psychiatric efficiency.

My mania was psychosis (I was mis-diagnosed as BP1 for a long time), so I don't really feel qualified to answer this fully, but I will say, being treatment and med resistant, I feel the effects of the meds very quickly. Usually within a few days, I either get a horrible side effect, or I feel it working.

Glad to hear you're coming out of the mania.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
This can depend on all sorts of things so the important thing is if it's working for you

If you're coming down effectively that's great sweetie.... When do you see your doctor again?

There are many coping skills that can help along with it.....journaling, exercise, gratitude, peer support/venting

Do you have a therapist?..... therapy can help a great deal

Big hug.....xo
OlderCPer
OlderCPer
Technically the rule of thumb is Psych meds take up to 3 weeks to reach a stable BPL (blood plasma level) and work as they should.

Lithium is not a chemical it is a Salt, a natural mineral, so it works differently. It tends to work quicker for most people. Having said that, since Lithium is a Salt, it's very important to make sure and stay hydrated when using it. You don't have to go overboard, just drink the recommended max amount of liquid daily, most of it being water preferably, and take your Lithium at the same time every day. If you feel thirsty after doing so, increase your liquid intake.

You'll be required to do frequent repeat Blood Tests to make sure your Lithium level stays at a safe range.
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