I have taken Lithium for about 5 years. The side effects I have had a mild tremors (which mostly are not there), thirst and must drink heaps of water which makes me have to go to the bathroom more than usual, and it affected my thyroid which is counteracted by thyroxin. It may sound like a lot of side effects but honestly I hardly notice them most of the time.

The benefit has been a complete stop in impulsive attempts. I had 6 in the 18 months prior and in the last five years - NONE. It has basically saved my life so I will not be going off it anytime soon. This is different for everyone but this effect is well documented to the point they were considering putting it in the water to lower 'incidents'.