Lithium is either a life savior or it has side effects...it seems to either work or not for different folks. The best thing about lithium is it's great for mono therapy. The less meds you can take the better. Doesn't really matter where you are on the bipolar spectrum the same meds are used. Yah...id stay away from antidepressants...they change the structure of your brain chemistry and usually aren't good for bipolar.