I take the lowest dose of Lithium (150mg) in addition to Seroquel every night. It specifically reduces suicidal ideation which helps me. I heard that it is available over the counter now. I think you can get it from Walmart or Amazon.

Lithium is used in low dosages for other mental health disorders such as Self Harm, I've used it for that in the past at 300mgs, but never as an adjunct in a non-therapeutic range for BiPolar Mood control. When I took it for BiPolar depression I took 1200mgs.

As for the "Over the Counter" thing. Lithium Orate is a salt of Orotic Acid and Lithium and can be bought from Amazon and some Wal-marts in very low dosages (5 - 20mg) as a Mood and Memory Supplement. Its not regulated by the FDA, there are no Clinical Studies to support it's claims and as such and being sold as a non-regulated Supplement that means you have no idea how much actual Lithium is in each capsule and how much "filler ingredient" is in each tablet.

Lithium Carbonate is the FDA regulated medication that is prescribed by Dr.'s for Mental Health Diseases, its a different form of the Lithium Salt.

Thank you for the replies, Mocha and OCP. Your information helps clarify things. Lithium's use to reduce suicidal ideation and self-harm makes sense. However, I need it for bipolar depression. But studies haven't proven that to be helpful. At least not yet…
I read that in Japan where there were higher concentrations of natural lithium in the water there were lower suicide rates but not lower depression rates. This is not a cause-and-effect study; just an association.
Low dose lithium causes fewer side effects than low dose atypical antipsychotics, so it was worth looking into.

Does prescription lithium help with memory and concentration? The atypical antipsychotics seem to reduce focus and concentration and reduce motivation. I'm trying to take courses and it is hard to concentrate.

I'd be very careful with lithium. I know many people have found releif, and it has helped them greatly, but it can be very damaging to the kidneys. And if you don't get regular blood tests to check kidney function it can be very dangerous. Your kidneys could be failing and you wouldn't even know it. I'd encourage you to have a conversation with your psy dr before starting any kind of lithium, even as an adjunct. I wish you the best, and hope you find something that works for you!

Thank you all. I definitely would not take lithium unless prescribed by my psychiatrist. I hope I can find another medication that works and doesn't have intolerable side effects. Maybe Latuda next…

Maui, Litihium is not an atypical antipsychotic or any type of antipsychotic at all. It is a Mood Stabilizer. It is a Salt not a chemical. it can cause kidney damage if you are not careful about staying hydrated, that is a major deal when takeing Lithium. And you do have to have regular, sometimes monthly blood draws at first to make sure you are taking the lituium safely.

It is very east to overdose on Lithium if your not drinking enough. so you have to be careful with this one.'

But when it works, it's amazing!!

I have been on lithium for years. I was taking 750 which had me just below therapeutic range but it was working well for me for years paired with Latuda. And trazodone for sleep. Was doing so well that I dropped Latuda and managed for a year til now. Not so well now and my lithium dose has been increased twice up to 1050 and waiting blood work to c where I’m at. Also brought Latuda back. The med juggle. I’m not afraid of lithium as long as regular blood work is being done. Abit nervous I guess now as this is the highest dose I’ve been on. I haven’t experienced bad side effects from lithium increases and with getting back on Latuda I just had the jitters/agitation where I’m not comfortable in my own skin feeling for afew days. That’s just me tho. Good luck to u!