Hi jtassar93. Welcome
For me Lithium began taking effect after about two weeks then really kicked in after three months. I take 500mg twice a day so pretty similar. It is an amazing med when it works so I hope it works for you. I find anti-psychotics to be very useful in dealing with agitation, racing thoughts, and irritability. It all depends on your particular symptoms and the trouble they bring you.
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Bipolar 1 with psychotic features
PTSD
"Phew! For a minute there I lost myself."
'Karma Police' by Radiohead