This is such a great article. It hits some really interesting points, specifically, the fact that who we are is very dependent on what chemicals we are on. How can we have a good notion of "self" without including our physical constitution if an alteration of a few grams of lithium to our physical constitution can fundamentally change who we are, how we feel and how we behave? The mind is not seperate from the body, and it's stupid to think it is. We change everytime we eat, and everyday when we wake up we are a different person than we were when we laid down to sleep.Maybe we should all take a little bit of lithium.
Lithium is a terrible drug. As someone who was on it from 16-22, I can tell you it's the point that your doctor has given up on helping you. The benefit of mood stability from lithium are far outweighed by the long term side effects, ie: nausea, tremors, headaches. I'm almost 5 years off now and I have to use medication to ease the side effects that may be permanent from lithium. It also dull you quite a bit, the stability woks because you don't really feel much about anything. It kind of oblivion so you think you're ok, because you can't tell that you're not.
I had no idea man, that sucks. Shit. All I meant from that comment is that lithium, in very small doses (naturally ocurring scales) seem to have a good effect on mood and stability. I had no idea it had such bad side-effects, that really sucks. Might I ask why you were on lithium, and how you were able to stop being on it?
replied via pm. these do a pretty good job of explaining how lithium makes you feel, its kind of like you're not really ever all there:
I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience with lithium. Did you try another drug to stabilize your mood? For a different perspective, I've thus far have had a pleasant experience with lithium. I wouldn't necessarily agree with statement that once you're doctor prescribes lithium, they've given up on you. Many people are prescribed lithium to help with their mental illness because it is a very useful tool for some. I began lithium when I was 17 and am 25 now, yet my doctor has not given up on me and I continue therapy. I have no regrets and thus far have not developed any adverse side effects except for thirst. I'm also in a position of - either continue treatment or, well, death. Depression greatly increases the chance of suicidal tenancies and mania can be equally as damaging to the self. For me, my medication means life or death - and I'd rather suffer the side effects than live an even shorter life full of mood swings. That being said, I wish you the best and hope your life beyond lithium is better. :D
It's not so much given up on you as a patient. More like given up on a less-damaging mood stabilizer working without lithium. Lithium is not good for your body, that's all I am saying, and long term you kind of end up paying for it. There's a reason you have to get your blood tested every other month while on lithium, if you go over a certain threshold, it is dangerous so they have to monitor your bloods levels. And like every other medication, you build tolerance. What happens when your body's tolerance doesn't coincide with your psychological needs? Just not a great option imo. Whatever works though, it's different for everybody. Lithium just wasn't for me.