Lithium?

[heronbird]

Anyone heard of Lithium? My dd is going to ask for that, does anyone know if it works? she has such terrible depression and her anti depressants are not working and her dose has just gone up about two months ago.

Do you think it will help.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[Nrsertcht]

Hello,

My 19 yr. old daughter has been on Lithium for almost a year (started during her 3rd hospital stay in 6 months)

Lithium has been a godsend for my daughter and I admit, I was terrified of the medication.

According to the clinicians, it was Lithium or electric shock therapy.

DD is diagnosed with BPD/Bipolar II/Anxiety/OCD traits/Social phobia and has been ill for about 1.5 years.

[Surnia]

As far as I know from my family is Lithium for people diagnosed bipolar. My mother and brother can both prevent being psychotic with it.

According to the clinicians, it was Lithium or electric shock therapy.

Eletric shock is still used? Hope you don't mind I am stepping in there, I am surprised.

[heronbird]

They do electric shock, but I think they put them to sleep first so not so bad. That is desperate measures wow.

I dont think they will give her lithium, its too strong, I think they are trying a mood stabiliser

Bipolar is so similar to BPD though. She has depression mostly right now, thats what they need to help her with.

[griz]

Heron:  I know two people who Lithium has been a godsend for.  The only complaint one of them had was major weight gain, however the other person did not experience this at all.

Griz

[heronbird]

Hi,

Ok well thanks she was supposed to be put on it today, however I dont know if she was as she has gone missing.

The Police came today looking for her.

She is not in a good place emotionally at the moment, as I said. :'(

[qcarolr]

Gone Missing - this is always so distressing. Praying she turns up soon and gets back on track.

qcr  

[heronbird]

She is back, she was in a park. She said she wishes she was dead. she has no where to go no where to live.

Everything is so bad for her, I told her she does not have to be a victim. She could pick herself up and start again.

I should have asked her how that will help to be dead.

I dont know if they gave her lithium yesterday, but now after reading some of the replies, I think maybe it may not be that good.

[Nrsertcht]

I can't figure out how to "quote" but yes, my DD19 was on the psych ward for the 3rd time in 6 months and ECT was being discussed for her depression.

I was shocked and scared to death for many reasons.

DD had only been ill for < 1 yr., was fully functional in HS-swim team/drama club/AP classes, etc. She had been self harming for 4 months and was depressed, but ECT? At that point?

DD at that point was 18, she refused.

[heronbird]

I would think it was a last resort, I wouldnt agree to that unless it absolutely desperate, more than desperate and actually you have to have tried everything else.

I am not convinced that it even works. Most people say it works for a very short time.

We need therapy for these people not meds anyway