Lithium for Depression User Reviews

• Wil...
• June 6, 2020

"This 'old-fashioned' medication, lithium, was a lifesaver for me. I have depression, and I've taken it for years and years with absolutely no side effects or adverse events. To my mind, there's nothing like it. In fact, it's the ONLY true mood stabilizer, and I've been on too many medications and combinations to count. This is the only drug that's given me relief from suicidal depression."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2020

"Lithium has changed my daughter's life. She has had emotional problems with psychomotor retardation and speech problems since a toddler. It was not until her mid-30s that they tried her on Lithium. She can now converse in a normal manner and makes good decisions. Her intelligence and sense of humor are apparent for the first time ever. We are both over the moon. This medication has been the answer to my prayers."

• Lif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2020

"First of all, I don’t know my exact diagnosis. I’ve seen many psychiatrists over the past 8 years. I do know that I did have recurrent suicidal thoughts (daily). I attempted suicide for the first time when I was 16. I have been on many medications from antipsychotics to benzos and of course tons of antidepressants. At the age of 26 I finally got prescribed Wellbutrin with what I consider the miracle drug LITHIUM. I’ve just been so productive, generally happy all within a single week! Slight nausea the first few days but that went away. My family is amazed at my progress with lithium."

• Pro...
• October 21, 2013

"Lithium is my wonder drug. I'm 51, was depressed on & off for years, had major depression for 7+ years, & have been suicidal since age 7. The last 2 years were exhausting trying to stay ahead of the suicidal pull in spite of entering therapy & getting medicated. I finally asked my psychiatrist for any aggressive treatment - regardless of the severity of the side effects - because I was going to lose the battle. He asked me to try Lithium, first. Within a month, I had zero desire to kill myself. Side effects: Major leg tremors (I take Effexor). I feel a little flat, but no complaints; I can't remember the last time I wasn't suicidal, daily. I'm stunned at how this 'alternative' feels & am glad I held on long enough to experience it."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2021

"I've been on 600mg of lithium for nearly 2 years and it has done nothing whatsoever to help with my depression and suicidal thoughts. My doc has only upped my dose today to 800mg, so let's see if that works. A lot of my depression stems from how I was brought up and I don't think medication can take that away. I've even been seeing a private psychotherapist for over 4 years. As helpful as it can be, I'm still very depressed. I think it's this world we live in that is depressing. I have hobbies and play music, I have a boyfriend and a couple of friends, but I still can't help feeling the way I do. There are days where I don't wash and I'm in bed for about a week at a time until I feel good again. No matter what I do or say to myself, I just can't find the motivation to do anything! I used to have a career and work hard for a living, and now I can't bear the thought of stepping out the door most days. I'll keep you all updated about my new dose and if it makes a difference. All the best x"

• koi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2020

"I have depression, anxiety, and ADHD. I’ve been trying to find the right meds for me for a decade. My moods were out of control and would swing to extreme ends of the spectrum regularly. I also was having almost constant suicidal thoughts. My new psychiatrist made the decision to try me on lithium combined with my depression medicine (Effexor), and literally after just a week of taking it, I saw results. I felt like a brand new person. When people say this drug is a lifesaver, they are not lying. If you feel as if nothing is working for you, there is hope, things do get better!"

• 123...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2013

"I was on many antidepressants and none of them helped with my suicidal thoughts except lithium. Some medications I was on made me feel better, but very flat and emotionless. For me, lithium only takes the sharp edges off the bad emotions and leaves room for good (but not manic) ones. I had slight hand tremors for about a year after starting this, which was annoying but not incapacitating. They are gone now. I also gained about 10 pounds during the first few months, but lost it easily and I am now lighter than when I started. People used to tell me, 'Oh, you'll gain so much weight,' but it is mostly water weight because you get very thirsty. Overall, my quality of life is much, much better. Also, you can safely stay on lithium for years."

• Div...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2016

"I have to say, Lithium has changed my life for the good. I started taking this med just 5 days ago, and it's like I got my life back. I have paranoid schizophrenia, major depression, and borderline personality disorder. The past 8 years were literally like hell on earth for me. I've tried so many different medications, and nothing really worked for me. The first time I took my Lithium, I felt more in tune with what's going on. Now I'm on day 5, and my racing thoughts are pretty much gone. My depression is vanishing. My voices are at a minimum. My anxiety from going out in public has been getting better and better. It actually boosts my confidence. My energy level has gone way up. I'm generally happier and more at peace."

• Sam...
• January 7, 2016

"Tried a lot of SSRIs before a doctor prescribed a medium dose of lithium. Can't even describe how much better I feel. I used to feel so stuck by my depression and am now able to do so much more with my life. My sex drive dropped off a little but I'm not otherwise feeling flat from it. Didn't have any of the weight gain or shaking side effects. Changed my life."

• boy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2019

"Over the years I've been on many antidepressants. Sadly, none worked until I started lithium. I have far fewer terrible days and fewer suicidal thoughts. It's not perfect. I get a dry mouth, and for the first day or two, I constantly needed to pee. That's all stopped now, and for me, it's truly a lifesaver."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2020

"I have been on lithium at a dose of 2 x 600 mg daily for 4 months. Combined with Wellbutrin 300 mg and Lyrica 2 x 75 mg. Aside from a few light side effects (mostly a fine tremor and a bit scatterbrained) the first 3 weeks, it started working after about 2 weeks. Now I have no side effects, and my mood is better and totally stable. I haven’t felt this good since about 4 years ago, and I am so thankful. My depression is finally gone, I have so much energy, and getting out of bed isn’t a problem anymore. Finally, my suicidal thoughts are completely gone. I wish that I would have started this medication years ago (like my doctor advised). But I will definitely continue taking lithium, I’ve been advised to take it for at least 2-3 years. That’s fine with me!"

• Hol...
• June 14, 2019

"I've been on 400 mg lithium carbonate for nearly a year. Before that, I was getting episodes of suicidal depression every 3 or 4 months, despite being on antidepressants. Since I went on lithium, I haven't had anything but slight low mood. I get a hand tremor at times, mild muscle pain, and heartburn, but it's a lot preferable to being in that dark pit of despair."

• Jen...
• October 27, 2016

"I have attempted suicide three times in my life. The first two times were before I knew of Lithium, and the third was when I took a break from Lithium, foolishly thinking I had gotten better. Lithium, at 900mg, almost completely eliminates the suicidal ideation. Symptoms of depression are still present, however, much better. Side effects I have had are weight gain (5 lbs?), frequent urination/thirst, thinning of my hair, and sometimes I feel tired. I'll take these side effects any day over how I used to feel. This medicine has kept me alive. If you have recurring suicidal ideation, I would highly recommend."

• Moo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2020

"Used lithium liquid form for 1 month and then 700 mg capsule daily for 8 months. Experienced: brain on fire, confusion, unable to: speak, think, and slow mental physical reaction. Woke up shaking. Urinated very frequently. Drank lots of water to reduce the side effects and symptoms. Smoked a lot more cigarettes. Felt like so sick. Drooled and moved very slow. Felt like a zombie. Had muscle weakness. Paranoid thinking. Made me very confessional. Been off this chemical for 3 months and can now write, think, and move faster again. I had reconnected with God. The only positive was finding God and praying for life again. I was just a spirit in a body that would barely function."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

"I have tried so many antidepressants over the last two years and actually found them to only increase the severity of my depression. I found one that helped finally but still felt symptoms of depression creeping in. I asked my Dr to augment with lithium and it worked! My fatigue is nonexistent now and I feel like I can handle life now. At first, I was so thirsty that I could drink the entire Atlantic Ocean with a straw. It has since improved, but I learned that no matter how much I drink, I'm still going to have some thirst so I don't overdo it. My mouth is dry and I have a very slight tremor in my hands but it's a small price to pay--now I get to live instead of just survive. Ps increase your dose slowly to minimize side effects."

• Ail...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

"I just started lithium at 600 mg for depression. I’ve tried so many antidepressants over this seven-year depressive episode. I’ve felt emotionally flat, have trouble concentrating and remembering things, and live in a brain fog. It’s been especially devastating since I was forced to leave a wonderful career due to this illness. My psychiatrist finally referred me to a world-renowned doctor. This doctor responded to me within two days. He said that lithium, along with Spravato and intensive TMS, is the appropriate treatment. (The TMS is done for 9 minutes, 10(!) times a day for 5 days. This protocol is approved and has conducted studies on it.) He also said that side effects such as weight gain and tremors are minimal and occur if the dosage is above the therapeutic level. I’m, of course, going to take regular blood tests. I am so thankful that I’m receiving excellent care. Will report on progress."

• NCm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2017

"I have major depression and borderline personality traits (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has helped), and chronic suicidal thoughts for over 30 years. I am on Mirtazapine 30 mg and Bupropion XL 300 mg for over two years. Because of my suicidal thoughts, my doctor put me on lithium three weeks ago. She started with 300 mg, then went up to 600 mg. The only bad side effect for me was a very dry mouth. After two weeks of being on it, it started feeling wonderful! And it helped my suicidal thoughts tremendously. I felt so much better and have more energy! Then she decided to bump me up to 900 mg per day. The only side effect I feel is I feel like there is pressure on my brain. I'm hoping this is going to go away like my dry mouth. I also am not sleeping well either."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2020

"My mother tried ECT, every Benzo, and every antidepressant. Finally, 900 mg of lithium combined with Lyrica cured her. She is super thirsty, but all in all, doing amazing. I used to cry every night about her and think she would never get better, but lithium changed her life. Before, we went through years of hell trying to find her the right combination. Her anxiety was manic, and her depression was so flat and low. Lithium cured the flatness, and Lyrica gets rid of the anxiety, but it does cause some fat ankles and hands."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2021

"I've had extreme panic attacks and anxiety, along with depression for the last year and a half. It totally disabled me. Was in four different mental hospitals, taking every antidepressant you can imagine. A few weeks ago, I went to the doctor, and he prescribed me lithium. Within a week and a half, my anxiety and panic attacks were gone, and my depression has lifted to a large degree. I'm at 300 mg right now, and they want to get me up to 600 mg. I can't wait to see what it does for my depression. I absolutely love this drug, and I'm having no side effects. Hang in there, everyone!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

"This medicine works great for what it's used for. I'm Bipolar 1, but Lithium + SSRI (Prozac/Fluoxetine) has fixed my treatment-resistant severe bipolar depression with suicidal thoughts. I'm balanced again. I also take Seroquel, and I feel stable again-no highs, lows, or mixed states. I'm finally me again. I can think with a clearer mind. 10/10."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2022

"Fluoxetine, sertraline, duloxetine and venlafaxine were the antidepressants I tried before being prescribed this medication. I also took sertraline in combination with aripiprazole, and duloxetine in combination with risperidone. I never experienced any improvements in symptoms, and the aripiprazole and risperidone made my symptoms worse. Lithium was prescribed to me in addition to venlafaxine. My main symptoms were continuous depression, apathy, amotivation, difficulty concentrating and exhaustion. My dosage ranged from 600 mg to 1200 mg. I never saw any improvements with this medication. Side effects included dehydration and drowsiness. The dehydration resolved after discontinuing the drug. My blood concentration was in the therapeutic range for many weeks with no response. I discontinued this medication in order to move along to other depression treatments. Hopefully others have a better experience with this medication than me."

• sue...
• October 8, 2013

"Have suffered with clinical depression for fifteen years and have been on numerous antidepressants. Have now been taking lithium for 9 months and have had a lot of problems including hands shaking, legs feeling as though they are going to give way a lot of the time, whole body feeling heavy, nausea, parts of my body suddenly jerking, sweating, but worst of all, I feel as though I have had a personality transplant and do not recognize the agitated person I have become, the nightmares. My partner is very concerned. I am reducing the dose to come off it. I have just noticed on this site that it has a high interaction risk if taken with venlafaxine, which I have been prescribed with it at the same time."

• Mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2023

"When my mother died in 2009, they sent me to a mental health clinic where I was subscribed lithium, Abilify, and Klonopin. These medication’s almost killed me. I was afraid to be around people. I didn’t go outside. The medication changed my life for the worse, I started being paranoid everywhere. It made me want to kill myself. I couldn’t go to family functions. I didn’t even go outside. My grandchildren were afraid of me. Everyone said I was crazy but I knew something else was wrong, and it took me a while to figure out it was that the medication was then the reason for my actions I knew that’s what it was because it almost caused me to harm my grandchildren and I knew if I was in my right mind due to the medication I would never have tried to hurt anyone. I figured it out while looking at a TV commercial about lithium and Abilify. I tried to tell everyone something was wrong and this proved it. Stop taking these meds they are deadly. I will never take these again."

• ali...
• November 2, 2019

"Like most of you, I had tried all of the regular antidepressants until I found lithium. As a major depression patient, the most dismal and horrible thing about depression is the brain fog that lithium doesn't eliminate completely. Some doctors say it has to be a combination, so lithium with an antidepressant. After taking lithium solely for 2 years, I still have brain fog."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2023

"I’ve been taking lithium for approximately 3 months and let me tell you- it saved my life. I deal with a lot of severe depression and anxiety- I have borderline personality- and lithium helps both significantly. This is the first medication that I’ve taken that I’ve noticed improvements within 4 days to a week. It as well helps my anxiety A LOT. I’ve tried over 15 plus meditations and I would say this is one that works the best as well as Effexor and propranolol combined. Works so well I’ve even been able to eliminate benzos after 3 threes of dependency. Only side effects would be increased thirst and unirination. I know a lot of bad reviews may make you not want to try it but its worth it."