Lithium for Depression - Would Really Appreciate Your Views

Hi! I just read that Lithium is also used for major depression. I used to take lithium for bipolar but just recently stopped it. After a couple of years on it, I began getting nauseous after taking it. I also started getting this bloating, very uncomfortable feeling. The third reason I got off of it was the weight gain. I actually dealt with the weight gain because it was working but i was not thrilled about the gained weight. Once I experienced the other symptoms, I decided it was time to switch. However, some people take it and have no issues with it. It works perfectly for some so my advise is to try it with an open mind and give it a couple of weeks. It worked wonders for me and got me stable and now I can experiment with other meds with less side effects for me. It's trial and error with these meds so keep your head up! Wish you well soon!

Hi, I took lithium for quite some time, I have a diagnosis of affective schizophrenia - although I've always seen it more as depression + psychosis. I have been on

off all drugs for nearly 2 years as I felt like a deflated balloon - subdued, flat, totally uninterested and functioning on hazy autopilot mode. 

Lithium will almost definitely lengthen the amount of time between mania and depression, but seeing as you're not bipolar, I'd expect the most it could do would flatten your mood and possibly lengthen the amount of time between episodes in order to attempt to allow you to regain some degree of functionality. I wouldn't say that lithium expressly helps depression, it only makes you less aware of your own feelings (which in some cases can be beneficial). There is also some evidence that it can control impulsivity, irritability and aggression, which I suppose logically follows it's claim to being a mood stabiliser. Some people swear by it - but I myself found the flatness caused too much of a change as I am a naturally spontaneous and sometimes exuberant and lively person. If you feel you have a need to retain any of your personality, I would not accept lithium. 

I do feel for you as I am only 22 and have been stuck on the mental illness carousel since I was 13. My most helpful tactics now are using nicotine patches (The stimulation of my central nervous system improves concentration, attention, and mood/coping threshold for me), exercise, and mental stimulation (reading, building things). Having support networks and close friends to see is also vitally important to me but of course in the midst of severe depression it seems impossible to achieve the basics in life. 

Good luck. 

Yes, it's been a nightmare, but I'm happy to help anyone who is looking for advice about their mental health - I know how horrible and frustrating it can be and I really sympathise.

I discovered the benefit of nicotine patches by accident. I took up smoking heavily in hospital and was worried it was making my anxiety worse so decided to try the patches. Wasn't optimistic at first and the first patch I tried made me throw up. I did get used to i as I was determined to give up the cigarettes and now I don't feel nauseous with them. I've found they really improve my concentration and balance out that "heavy" feeling you get in your head when you're depressed. So I'm more motivated, can concentrate better, and don't ruminate as much. It has improved my coping threshold. There are several studies I've read online about the benefit of nicotine patches in refractory depression. 

I'm no doctor but just thinking about your drug regime, it's very sedating. My own opinion is that fatigue worsens depression. Do you have an agitated kind of depression or are is it a flat/no energy/no pleasure or interest kind of depression? As I have a long term problem with anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) - the only thing that has helped are medicines and tactics that are stimulating. My hypothesis is that many people who are depressed have a "lazy" brain. That doesn't mean that the person is lazy by the way, or that depression is just laziness. 

I tried all sorts of sedating drugs including 6 different types of antipsychotics and they all made the depression worse. I also experimented with codeine and benzodiazepines - they also made my depression worse.. Not really a surprise seeing as they produce similar neurological effects to alcohol. 

Hi very late response

I was just reading. I have been on all of the meds you list (I was treatment resistant for a decade). Lithium and Quetiapine are in my opinion useless for depression. 

I finally got out with Vyvanse (Lisdexamphetamine, ADHD stimulant for depression, 70 mg/day), Pramipexole (3 mg/day) and Imipramine (150mg/day). For rapid response, we are using Ketamine treatments quite a bit these days, in the US.

What is wrong with the system? Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers!

Hi very late response

I was just reading. I have been on all of the meds you list (I was treatment resistant for a decade). Lithium and Quetiapine are in my opinion useless for depression. 

I finally got out with Vyvanse (Lisdexamphetamine, ADHD stimulant for depression, 70 mg/day), Pramipexole (3 mg/day) and Imipramine (150mg/day). For rapid response, we are using Ketamine treatments quite a bit these days, in the US.

What is wrong with the system? Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers! 0  Report this

Could you tell your doctor that you have heard too many horror stories about Lithium so is there anything else that he/she could prescribe?