My thoughts on LITHIUM

When taking LITHIUM for bipolar disorder you will find it to be one of the best medications. However, you can experience some minor side effects. Clinical tests show that about 75% of people who take LITHIUM for bipolar illness will experience some type of side effect. These side effects will definitely weaken as you go on taking the medication. It's very common for allot of side effects to disappear after adjusting the dosage.

It is suggested that you let your doctor adjust your dosage, don't self medicate, like I always used to try to do.

The most common side effect's are: Hands shaking, diarrhea, thirst, vomiting, weight gain, increased urination, fatigue, hypothyroid, loss of hair, weak, concentration loss, loss of memory, and acne. I must add that I have experience all of these side effect's when taking LITHIUM. LITHIUM is a very strong medication. After time alot of these side effect's went away.

You must immediately consult your doctor if you experience any of the following: Slurred speech, walking difficulty, tripping, confusion, fainting, fever, and rapid heart rate. Express to your doctor all your medical history. Do not drink, drive or use machinery and stay away from all salt.

Do not double up on your medication.

I took LITHIUM for a total of 10 years and dealt with alot of side effect's but I really liked the medication. If I didn't get diabetes insipidus (another side effect), I would still be on it. I now take Trileptol, zoloft and abilify.

Feeling Bipolar?

I like to feel that there is truley no "normal". Every person make's life what is it. If your bipolar it can be very difficult to find that mid point. Not being so manic and not being so depressed. Being bipolar you may feel some of the following symptems:

Fell very different that you may usually feel
Your thoughts may be very fast for very slow
Your feeling feel very disturbed
Functioning difficultly
Concentaration difficulty
Feeling irratical


Seeking treatment is your next approach to your illness. It's unfortuate because most people deny being bipolar. When seeking treatment for bipolar, or manic depression or any mental illenss it is a lifetime commitment and many people can't handle the commitment.

ABILIFY for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disease, better know as manic depression, A disease which takes place in the brain. The disorder causes mood swings, known as manic, and severe depression. From clinical trial bipolar disease is not only genetic but hereditary too. A person with bipolar who experiences extreme high's (elevated mood) and low's (depressed mood). When your a person affected by bipolar illness, you must except it's a lifetime illness. When living with bipolar illness you not only need to take a medication regimen but psychotherapy is highly suggested.

A good medication that's works in conjunction with an antidepressant is ABILIFY.
I happen to take ABILIFY, and find it to be a wonderful medication. Statistics show this medication works well for people with bipolar disease.

ABILIBY is a medication suggested to help the symptoms of sadness and deep depression. A few symptoms of depression are suicide, not liking your life, not eating, overeating, loose of sleep, to much sleep, not sleeping well, pain, worthlessness.

Again, ABILIFY works very well with an antidepressant, working in conjunction with one another. A process know as augmentation is when the ABILIFY boosts the antidepressant effect. It has been clinically tried and has had a positive result.

Some side effects of ABILIFY are as follows:
weight gain
shaking
pain
cough
thirsty
parched
tired
blurry eyesight
retaining fluid


Given there may be some side effects from this medication, it is proven to be very effective for the treatment of bipolar illness.

people, ABILIFY is a extremely effective medication to treat bipolar illenss.

Responsiblity of your illness

Being bipolar is not your fault, but we must be accountable for each illness we blessed with. Being fully responsible is very important. Bipolar disorder is not a curable disease, but you can become stable with the help from your doctor. Your treatment for your bipolar is your responsiblity. It is a commitment you must make to yourself.

Learning to live with bipolar illenss has been a huge part of my life, and I will be 48 years old this year. I made my lifelong commitment when I was approximately 32 years of age. I have found that everything around me has changed, every relationship I'm involved in has gotten better. Life before treatment was a merry go round.

I deal everyday with a daughter who doesn't expect that she is bipolar. That is a major difficult task for me. It takes everything in my power to stay focused on my own recovery. I have a strong will and believe in God. He helps me get through each day.

I love my life now, and you can love yours too.

Feelings on Medication side effects

Take a moment and do research on the medication you are going to take.All medications your about to take have side effects. Most side effects you experience can be controlled. The most common is increased thirst and frequent urination, which can be controlled with drinking more water and evacuating more frequently. You most likely will feel as though you don't want to take a medication, like most people. Just because a side effect is listed somewhere doesn't necessarily mean your going to encounter that particular one.

All side effects depend on a persons body chemistry and the combination in which they are taking other medication. Each combinations works differently on one person opposed to the other. Some may work for one and not for the other. Some people require a huge dosage opposed to another not needing such a high dose.

If by change, your side effects you may be experiencing are not getting any better, you should consult your doctor and have him adjust your dosage or just change you altogether to another medication. This is to be evaluated by your doctor. Newer medications are formulated much differently than the older ones and tend to cause less side effects. Consult with your doctor to be closely monitored when changing a dosage or medication altogether.

Do you think your medication is working?

When taking medictions for bipolar illenss, you will notice changes happening, changes with your body as well as your emotions. You may notice right away changes in your emotions. The changes occur very slowly. Each individual with bipolar is different. You might not notice the changes all of the sudden, but they will happen. Usually others with bipolar will notice changes before you do, it's important to ask other's if they notice any differences in your behaviors.

When taking your medication for bipolar disorder you might first notice that you no longer get upset over certain situations as you did before. You will stop obsessing over things as you did in the past. You will feel comfortible dealing with everyday situations. Your mind will slow down and not wonder from subject to subject. When beginning medication for bipolar you may feel tired and run down but your focus will be clearer. Concentration will definately improve. You will experience the calm after the storm. It's an amazing feeling. Situations that once would upset you, don't anymore. You will see the difference between depression opposed to saddness.

I have been on medication for bipolar disorder for about 15 years and I have noticed all of these changes when my medication for bipolar was working right. It will sometimes take a number of tries to get the right combination of medications to work. But don't give up it's worth it.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorders are one of many medical conditions called depressive disorders. Bipolar affects the way a person's brain operates.

Bipolar is widespread. In the USA, it's estimated that more than 18 million adults have Bipolar. That works out to about 1 out of every 8 people, so there's a good chance that you or someone you know is dealing with bipolar.


Bipolar disorder goes by many names: manic depression, manic-depressive disorder, manic-depressive illness, bipolar mood disorder, and bipolar affective disorder are medical terms for the same condition.

Bipolar disorder is classified into two different types: Bipolar I, Bipolar II,. Mental health experts separate the condition into these two types because the symptoms of bipolar disorder show up differently in different people. When doctors know what type someone has, they can tailor treatment to that person's specific needs.

Bipolar is a form of mental illness much comparable to a disease like diabetes. There is a lot of controversy in the term "mental illness". However, it needs to be excepted by oneself and treated long term. Bipolar also known as manic depression is a mental illness. Having a mental illness involves, thinking, perceptions and behaviors that are not considered the "normal" in our particular culture or what society may perceive.

Living with Bipolar

Your world becomes an oasis of ups and downs. It’s a fine line between the manic stages and the depressive stages. When your up, your really up and when your down, your terribly down. Sometimes is feels wonderful to feel the up (manic). Incredible feelings of power and energy overwhelm you. You believe you can wholeheartedly pull off any trick you try. In another second you can feel the pulling force of the dark abyss below (depression). You may feel like your being cut in half. If these symptoms go untreated you can feel 1 to 5 levels higher or 1 to 5 levels lower, if your lucky you can experience balance for a little while. You can never truly trust your own mind.

Thoughts about Mania or Hypomania

Elevated moods that interrupt sleeping patterns, effect your appetite, changes your feelings about situations, and definitely changes your thoughts, self-esteem and confidence levels is a good description of Mania. Mania changes concentration and decision-making. Bipolar display mania symptoms along with depression but there's a possibility to only have hypomania, which is mania but not so severe. Some people go directly from mania to depression called cycling. There may be a time of what I call "normal". Some people just have manic episodes and don't experience any depression.

Some more symptoms of extreme mania are as follows: Bizarre behavior, definitely substance abuse, Risky behaviors, impulsiveness, racing thoughts (especially at bedtime), difficulty to focus and concentrate, and major elevated energy.

My feelings on depression

Everyone has there down times and occasionally gets the blues. If you suffer from bipolar illness than you have experienced depression, to the fullest. I've had my share of depression.
From my experiences with depression, I found the following to be common syptoms of depression: Substance abuse is one big sign, being angry is another, becoming aggressive, not caring about yourself and other's, being self destructive, sleeping all the time, physical body aches that are unexplainable. These symptoms are classic for depression.
A person who experiences a great deal of depressive episodes can suffer from "Unipolor disorder". It the same as bipolar symptoms without the Mania.

More on Suicide

Are you stuck in a deep dark depression that seems as though it will never go away? You wonder if your life has ever been worth living. The thoughts are so far away you can’t even remember. You feel worthless and feel that you bring sorrow to everyone who loves you. You feel clearly that they’ll all be better off without you.
There is a light at the end of that dark tunnel. With proper treatment and medication you will live a wonderful and happy life. I’m living proof of that. The key is to make that commitment to yourself that you want to get well and take the first steps and don’t quit. It takes a lot of will power and work but it will work. Make the call, see the doctor and STICK TO THE MEDICATION!

If your feeling like Suicide

Having Bipolar Disorder is a very difficult disease to live with. At given times a person can feel suicidal, Lord knows I have. I had become very discouraged about alot of things throughout my journey and you probably have as well.




Life is precious, so if your feeling like no one cares or you want to end your life, give the following number a call.

1(800) SUICIDE
1(888) SUICIDE
People are available at anytime to help you.