I chose to start taking lithium 8 months ago after taking first Olanzapine and later Seroquel for the last 12 years. Seroquel caused me to gain about 120 pounds. It seemed to cause "trance-like" eating that felt uncontrollable. Before Seroquel, I was a runner, a gymnast and a snowboarder. All those years of Seroquel has done serious damage to my physical health. After 2 months on lithium I lost 24 lbs. Unfortunately I have been in an emotional slump for the last 2 months and have gained it all back

Don't fear the lithium. Fear the depression.