Whether it will do anything bad cognitively is something I can only find out by trying. If it does something cognitively, I will switch to Wellbutrin that does not produce cognitive side effects. Wellbutrin also causes loss of appetite and weight loss but not to such an extent. Wellbutrin increases sex drive in some people which would be interesting and is an AD, so the main thing on it is not to go manic. But since I take Geodon+Lithium against mania, I can probably handle taking Wellbutrin. So I have options - between the two one will hopefully work. In general, I think it is unfair to relegate overweight bp people to diet and exercise. If a medication (Zyprexa and Depakote) got me to where I am at, there should be a medication or two to reverse this effect.

More on willpower. When I was growing up, I drank tea without sugar. Then something happened. Whether it was a medication side effect or not, but I started needing a sweetener. First, I used Xylitol. Xylitol tastes great, is a low glycemic index food (this is very good), and is a proven aid in dental care. But, it has calories. Fewer than sugar but still. So I switched to stevia, a sweetener herb. No calories. Unpleasant taste that goes away with regular use. But, still carbohydrates - 3 g per cup of tea and I drank so many cups a day it was staggering. Plus stevia costs money. But without it, I could not drink tea at all. It tasted bitter and disgusting. I could not will my way to drinking it.

Then, I started on Metformin, and my regular taste came back immediately. I can drink tea without sweetener. I returned unopened boxes of stevia to the grocery store for a refund. Metformin does not produce any side effects and is cheap (it was invented in 1920s). So I am glad I have found a solution where I least expected it. Who would have known that some almost 100 year old medication would restore my original taste?