i'm with the first poster, you can't know until you try it for yourself because it's different for everyone.

for me, i've been put on 3-5 different mood stabilizers over the years, the newer ones like lamictal and the like first, but they never really seemed to even me out. finally, my doc decided to try me on an older drug - lithium, and wow, it actually works. it keeps me stable, keeps the anxiety low and i haven't gone manic since.

it doesn't come without side effects though. i do have hand tremors, though they aren't really disruptive to life. and sometimes i do space out more than i would normally. also very thirsty. but for me, it's worth it to keep the stress and anxiety low and mood swings in check.

it's still a struggle dealing with my depression, to be honest, but that's not really lithium's job.