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What is lithium used for?
@helpful_ideas (1620)
United States
November 17, 2006 10:07am CST
I've heard that in the old days it was given to cocky women or ones that just got too emotional.
I know that modern medicine no longer drugs women up just for being hormonal, so what is it used for in the modern day? I've seen a couple of my friends that take it and I was curious.
4 people like this
5 responses
@AmbiePam (120637)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I think a whole lot of people have the wrong idea about Lithium. I actually take Lithium because I am bi-polar. And it was a blessing, but a subtle one. It didn't tame me, or calm me down, it just allowed me to always be on an even keel. Instead of getting very upset about something, I'd get mildly upset. You don't even notice it has made an impact until one day you think, "Hey, I'm more happy than I used to be."
As for the side effects, they are numerous, but no one has them all at one time! I experience dry mouth a lot and I am constantly drinking water. I have not gained weight from it and it has not made my life worse at all. It is kind of sad for someone to think they might be better off depressed than taking it. If you are truly bi-polar then there is nothing worse than that. Anywhere Lithium takes you it will always be uphill becuase being bi-polar puts you in a place where the only place TO go is up.
It is kind of odd for your friends to take it if they are not manic depressive (bi-polar). I don't even know what they would take it for unless some doctor decided to experiment on patients with general anxiety.
3 people like this
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I'm guessing it is used for regular depression as well since I don't think that so many of my friends are bi-polar.
2 people like this
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
18 Feb 07
You may really have hit the nail on the head with that last sentence. My crew is pretty quirky but they are great. :-)
@AmbiePam (120637)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Huh, I've just never heard it used for regular depression. Lithium keeps you grounded. If you are just a regular depressed case, you don't want to bring your mood down. When you are bi-polar you can become manic and that is why they use Lithium. To make sure you DON'T become to "happy". They want a person on an even keel. And Lithium for a depressed person would, well, depress them. But again, I'm not an expert. Maybe you just run with a quirky crowd! : )
3 people like this
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
18 Dec 06
Thanks for the response but I was trying to think more in medical terms.
Those lithium batteries are SO expensive to replace, too!
3 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Feb 07
My 13 year old newphew has been taking lithium for a few years now. I don't think he needs it since I think it is just causing more problems them my sister thinks it is and he went without it for awhile and he seemed better but I was told they are puttinghim back on again because they say they can't or won't handle him without it anymore since he is been off for 3 months. He's stubborn and they think he needs pills... pills seem to be to handy now days and seems everyone is getting them for something or another but do we truly need all the doctor prescribes? Lord some of the meds cause more problems then they actually help.
1 person likes this
@xenatessmocker (339)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Lithium is often prescribed to treat bipolar disorder.
