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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Lithium Quitens the Mind?

aussiewriter
aussiewriter
Hello everyone...Just wondering if Lithium has worked well to quieten people's mind? My main problem is that my mind is soooo active and to have a quieter mind would be a Godsend. I analyze, contemplate, plan, see things from all points of view, self doubt, etc etc, etc...enough to drive one mad.......Any helpful replies appreciated!

Thanks,
Ian C.
surferchica
surferchica
yep. It quietens the mind alright. If you are bipolar, it can be pretty awesome.

I noticed that you are in the chronic pain group. Some pain meds can have a side effect of racing thoughts, for example, Lyrica or Cymbalta. Please....see your doctor to discuss all this---print out your post even.
aussiewriter
aussiewriter
thanks surferchica...
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
hi, if you are not bipolar then it wouldn't be something normally prescribed - sometimes it's given for really bad depression but for someone who is not either bipolar or suicidally depressed (and fails to respond to anti-depressants) I don't think I would recommend it.

It requires some work to get set up (ie multiple blood tests) and has some fairly major side effects.

are you bipolar?
irishwriter
irishwriter
I didn't find lithium useful at all, in fact it led me to cutting. I find xanax and risperdal great to 'quieten' the mind. speak to your pdoc about it to figure out how to find the one that would work best for your individual needs. does it work? do you need it? can you live with the side effects? always good questions to ask about meds. and i echo curious, are you bp?
aussiewriter
aussiewriter
Thanks for your comments everyone...I have not been diagnosed bipolar but have some of the symptoms...will see a psych who specializes in bipolar soon...cheers, Ian
sfagrad
sfagrad
Lithium was my miracle drug. I am still taking it two later. I ended up having to augment my lithium with saphris. I had excessive peeing so my dose had to be lowered. Great med though.
LavenderHippie
LavenderHippie
Lithium was the first drug my pdoc gave me after my 03 dx...it made me horribly nauseous and gave me horrific nightmares...
agathasmiles
agathasmiles
I did very well on 600 mg of Lithium

However, when a dosage increase became necessary, I could not tolerate the med well, serious side-effects, and ultimately moved on to Abilify and Lamictal.

Best of luck should you reach that point.

:-)
jeansmind
jeansmind
It worked well for me.... Calmness SWEPT OVER ME wen the theraputic effects took hold.... what works well for one person might not work well for another.... Good luck
Autumn111269
Autumn111269
Lithium has kept my mania at bay and helped my thoughts to be more focused. It took a week or two to adjust to taking it because it made me a little sick at my tummy but ultimately it has been my miracle.
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