A tad more background info: my mother is on a virtual cocktail of meds, for clinical depression, without which she would likely not be here. So, my father has ample knowledge of pharmaceuticals and does his homework. The issue really boils down to his being a control freak, and his continued hammering on the issue of lithium is part of that pattern. But pls don't misunderstand where I am coming from...my refusal to take lithium is not some juvenile reaction to his badgering but rather a decision I've made, at least for the present, to not be medicated.

With regard to my current meds, see above...I take only fish oil, gingko biloba and St. John's Wort. Some days, this regimen seems to work brilliantly, esp. in combination with lots of work and exercise, other days, not so much. That is to say, when I got his email, it basically threw a wrench in the works. I fear that the fallout from my mental health issues over the last decade or so, may be irreparable and at a time when he most needs me, due to the current state of his health, I feel distinctly estranged, esp after yesterday's note from him, which blindsided me.