Litarex side effect or something else?

Hi, this is my first post here and i would love an opinion on a problem I am having, if someone with experience would be kind enough to take a couple of minutes and help my out any advice or thoughts would be appreciated -

So I´m diagnosed with bipolar and have had one severe episode which lasted for a few months resulting in bankruptcy, insurance claims amongst other questionable acts which still follow me today, finally in the end I was admitted against my will (Thank God). This was followed by an independent valuation of my mental health a year earlier when i decided to quit my medication (Olanzapine, seroquel etc.).

There are four years since i was discharged, and since then I have kind of managed, but recently (last year or so) I have had major problems in my work and personal life.

My problems consist of thoughts and worries from family members and others around me about arrogance, lack of empathy,being distance and uncooperative - This is kind of true, I really don´t care for all company and to be honest I sometimes but a lot of effort in to not getting attached and keeping an distance.

For example when someone close to me shares there´s worries with me I have been told that i have no facial or vocal expression what so ever, and my advice consist of cruel logic.. do you know what I mean? And those who have known me all my life ask what has happened. - p.s. I´m kind of happy, not bitter and felicitate over the success of those around me. Apparently I just used to be more thoughtful and fun the be around ?

So, looking back.. maybe I was different? Can you evolve a cruel and narcissist character or could this possible be an side-effect from the lithium or maybe even a long lasting depression or even something completely different. . Or might it just be OK to not get involved, attached and keep a thick coat? (Or is my perspective perhaps flawed?)

Best Regards
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This is a great forum and only for the last couple of hours I have learned so much

that is a good question. do you have a therapist you see to discuss it? I know I have changed but I have other diagnoses besides bipolar that impact me. I used to be friendlier and more outgoing and social but now I have very little to do with people but this is more to do with agoraphobia stemming from ptsd than bipolar. meds can change personality as well. I worked for almost three years to find meds that worked without side effects so I think I am the best me possible. so I would discuss it with your doc? how different are you than when you first started meds? that would be the key to answering your question there.

Hi Maple,

When I first saw my old pdoc (a different one) last year he said I had "blunted" facial expression caused by one of the meds I was on (I forget which one it was at the time because it's changed a bit from then). There is a medical term for it but I can't remember. I think yours seems to be more .... of a bit of a distance from others?

I'm sorry that you've been going through a bit of a rough time. It's not easy when we go through episodes and it can leave a trail of a little mess behind the aftermath.

Sometimes, depending on what phase of my diagnosis I am in, I want to be left alone too. I can understand how this would be worrying for your family. They care about you and they want you to be well.

I find my disposition also tends to change according to which meds I'm on and my mood cycle.

I don't have it all worked out right now but I'm getting there.

I hope you're receiving the right support from your pdoc.

Take care and thanks for the post.