That's intersting. My previous pdoc mentioned lithium for major depression, and I got pissed off when he suggested it. I never did try it.

Hello Phillip,

Interesting post..thank you for sharing..

Do we know what we deserve? Do you really understand that all people deserve in life something that helps them to survive? There are so many things that we believe without even bothering to question their standing on whether they are right or wrong.

How many of us have ever realized that this could also cause depression. Knowing what is right and what is wrong could help you save yourself from the clutches of depression in a big way.

Many people believe that one who puts his own self-first is a selfish person. Well it is not true, after all charity begins at home. One must keep himself happy before going out and spreading happiness outside.

Most of the people believe that their words are not acceptable to most of the people and so they become silent spectators while suffering at the hands of depression. Nevertheless, we must not fall into this trap and should raise our voice against what we dislike and what for what we desire

Hopefully I'm on topic here. Regarding depression with bipolar at least; one of my older kids is more severely depressed most of the time,[bipolar]and she was placed on Li first and her depression didn't lift, nor did her suicidal thoughts. What is working for her is Lamictal. The first line of treatment was not an anti-depressant, it was Li, then Li& Lamictal together. Once the Li was removed, and Lamictal increased, she has been stable and no suicide attempts in one year now.

I think it is scientifically wrong to use the word suicide, and judge a medicines worth by suicidality. It's as if a magical chemical forces people (against their will) to kill themselves.
If you gave people a dose of morphine every day would that decrease there suicidality? No kidding it would. Would a magical chemical there be preventing them from suicide? Suicide is a cognitive decision based upon motivation, it does not exist as a chemical imbalance.It is a choice.

Though this is not about depression, I found this interesing abstract. It appears if we are bipolar we are at higher risk for Alzheimers.Stating that Li could possibly reduce the risk of dementia, as in a prevention use with of Lithium.

Lithium and risk for Alzheimer's disease in elderly patients with bipolar disorder.

Lithium better than atypicals and SSRI's? You're not serious are you, because you do know I hope that almost everyone who takes lithium long term develops nephrogenic diabetes insipidus which is chronic water imbalance--polyuria and polydypsia--and that a percentage as yet unknown because no one will do the research will develop kidney failure from taking lithium as prescribed. If you think diabetes mellitus is unconscionable, try dialysis. Seriously.

12 years on lithium as prescribed, 1 and a half years on kidney transplant list.

good point alison, although i was speaking to lithium purely in the anti-suicide sense of the study which means short term use not long term. i clearly state that lithium is not a clean drug, meaning it has probs such as the one you are tragically dealing with. long term, atypicals are just as nasty but in different ways. as in eps and td even at small doses. and we all know ssris have huge issues short and long-term. sadly, all these meds have gigantic side effects issues. i'll leave it at that.

sorry to hear about your situation.

Guys, it's a study. A study of other clinical studies. Take the results for what they are 'cause they're about as good as you're going to get. Read it before criticizing it; it's actually damn well done. They don't make more claims than the data support and they are clear on its limitations.

If you don't like it go out and do your own study.

I'm not opposed to people taking lithium for major depression. Hell, whatever works. I just thought philip's post was funny because that's exactly how I responded when my doctor suggested lithium to me. That was back in 2000 or 2001, if I remember correctly. I only knew of lithium as a treatment for bipolar disorder. That, and I heard it could cause weight gain and that's all I needed to know. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me how vain I am for caring about weight gain, but that was an important issue to me.

I somehow missed your post Alison. Shit! It sure would be nice if docs shared the serious risks in advance. Some probably do, but my psychiatrist never once told me any harmful side effects or potential risks from any of the medications he prescribed. Not one time. I didn't even know diabetes insipidus was linked to lithium. I wonder how many patients are aware of that?

Though my youngest daughter has a questionable psychiatric dx; she is still on Li.
She was in the ER last week due to a 12 hour bout of liquid refusal. I had given her until noon, but the psych doc ripped my head off shortly before that on the phone telling me she could end up with failing, toxic kidneys on dialysis, or dead. The proceeded to tell me that her death would be something I could never live with....[yeah no fucking shit].

Serious health issues aside, it's the same for ALL psych meds. Each one carries a death sentence or a lifetime chronic illness as a side effect.

No treatment works in the same way and as efficaciously for every single person. What ever works for an individual AND the individual chooses to take (given the usual no dangers)that is just fine with me. I think as an online community we should be inclusive about people who are choosing treatment options different from our own.

Li works well for many people for several conditions, but it didn't work well for me at all. Not if you don't like your foot having an incredible spasm very morning as you try to drive to work. However, Li saved the life of a bipolar depressed member of my family. So who can predict what will work?

I just think we should be careful about labeling most treatment OPTIONS as all good or all bad. Because even ECT is very helpful TO SOME PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY CHOOSE TO HAVE IT, TO FEEL BETTER. Once again, personally I would choose rTMS over ECT in a heartbeat.. but that in an individual choice.

What bothers me SO MUCH is HOW FORCED I feel into my "doctor's TREATMENT" CHOICE FOR ME. Rather than listening to me, every doctor I had in the U.S. SO FAR, has basically ignored my input about medication FOR MY MIND AND BODY. How ironic?

Antidepressant use in kids:

Benefits trump risks for children taking antidepressants.

Antidepressants in Pediatric Patients: Benefits Might Outweigh Risks.

Clinical Response and Risk for Reported Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in Pediatric Antidepressant Treatment.

Here we go again.

I once was given lithium when i was hospitalized after an attempt to take my life. It made me sick....nausea, headaches, etc. (The "etc." was nasty but why go into the details) Good to know others have had a better experience with it but as for me, never again.
Dona Felipa