Hi, I wanted to get your opinion on how lithium is effective for bipolar depression? thanks

My understanding is lithium primarily treats mania, but I could be wrong. I myself require an antidepressant too.

[Tucson]

Lithium is only used to stabilize a person with regards to mania. I do not believe it has an antidepressant effect.

[Guiness187055]

Other mood stabilizers like lamictal help with depression not lithium.

It worked on me. I was in pretty bad shape when I was started on it.

https://pro.psychcentral.com/the-inc...azing-lithium/

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by key tones

It worked on me. I was in pretty bad shape when I was started on it.

https://pro.psychcentral.com/the-inc...azing-lithium/

My pdoc has listed it as an option for bipolar depression.


WC

[BPQuestions]

I use it for Mania. I know its affects on depression arent good.

[Cocosurviving]

I’ve been on Lithium for six years however when I get depressed increasing my Lithium will not help. I have to have a separate med. But that’s just my body.

[USMCBIPOLAR7]

I have used it constantly for 30 years and it keeps my moods much more normal ie less extreme but recently I started a 10,000 watt light box and was able to stop 2 antidepressants but remain on lithium and abilify . My psychiatrist says it helps with depression but that could be because it also helps with manias less severe mania usually equals less severe depression

[all74]

Absolutely. I've been on it for two months and I feel the most level I've been in years. That said, my symptoms are pretty cyclical, so it's possible that I could just be in a euthymic phase. Regardless, it's brought my patience back and I can actually control my temper again, which helps with my negative self talk which then helps with my depression

[still_crazy]

hi. ive always refused lithium. it is still used for unipolar depression. i think its somewhat popular when there's psychosis involved.

id recommend going on pubmed and doing some searches. i think it fell out of favor for unipolar, largely because there are so many other options, such as the atypical antipsychotics, lamictal, stimulants, etc.

it does help some people, sometimes, but the long term adverse effects can be quite serious, too. not trying to scare you. I'm a big believer in informed consent for psychiatric treatment.

Originally Posted by all74

Absolutely. I've been on it for two months and I feel the most level I've been in years. That said, my symptoms are pretty cyclical, so it's possible that I could just be in a euthymic phase. Regardless, it's brought my patience back and I can actually control my temper again, which helps with my negative self talk which then helps with my depression

actually this is my experience.. when lithium controls mania, it also controls depression, because the mood is more stable. Also, I noticed that I am far less sensitive with lithium, I am able to tolerate much more irritable moments in life than when I don't take lithium.