I worked as a psych nurse and dispensed the meds to patients. I saw them admitted, and if they were within a normal weight range they bloated up by 25 to 50 lbs. Much of the medication I dispensed was lithium, along with anti-dep and anti-psychotics. Since patients were weighed regularly I got the idea to compare weight gain/medication and did my own little "study". Of those on meds, the patients taking Lithium gained the most, (also in the shortest period of time). There was no one taking Lithium who had not gained weight. Understand this was my personal investigation not any official documented medical study.

In 2007 I was dx'd BP1. I went to the ER (self-admit) in a manic phase then to a private mental hospital, I stayed there a short time to stabilize (5 days). Lithium was the DOC. I refused it. Then Depakote--I couldn't take it because I had a bad reaction. I don't remember what I left on but I'm stable now (for the most part) on Lamictal and Wellbutrin.

My weight varied my entire life. I was never happy fat. I cannot be fat and happy. G-d bless those who can but I'm not among them. My p-doc understands my weight concerns and I'm compliant with my meds. So far so good...