lithium or depression

By Sunshine79 Saturday, May 08, 2010

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Hi, not sure what im doing maybe hoping for some advice maybe reassurance. My husband and I went into the dr. office for depression. I walked out with a script for lithium. I have been depressed for about two months off and on, mostly around the time of my menstrual cycle. My husband and I are going through a rough time. I work full time and go to college full time and try to tend to everyone's needs and forget my own in the process. I was under the impression lithium is for people with biopolar?? I thought i was just depressed????

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Eric

5/ 9/10 6:04am

Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer for some of us with bipolarism. Look...I don't know you personally, but if I were working a full time job, going to college and then having to take care of the family...I too would have the tendencies of becoming overwhelmed and just plain tired. There is no medication for this illness of trying to be everything for everybody.

I think it might be a time to take a step back and see what is really important to you. Are there things you can cut out to give you a little more time to yourself? BTW...what do you do in your free time? That was meant as a joke because I think you are trying to do too many things at one time.

Sunshine79

5/ 9/10 6:36am

Thanks for the advice. I really think I need my lazzzy.... husband to step up and help, thats is the real reason why I am depressed. I never in my life thought Id be on lithium???

tabby

5/10/10 8:57am

If you are concerned as to why you were given Lithium for your depression, then why not ask the doc who prescribed it?

The doc should tell you why he/she prescribed the Lithium and what diagnosis he/she diagnosed you with for the record. Was the doc a psychiatrist or a family doc?

Lithium is primarily for those with Bipolar. However, having said that... it, like so many other medications primarily used for other illnesses/disorders... it can and is often used for other situations besides Bipolar. So, getting a script for Lithium does not automatically label you with Bipolar.

Depakote, Lamictal, Trileptal, etc... are anti-epileptic medications for those who are prone to seizures or have seizures. That is the main job for those meds. Still, they are used almost as much if not moreso for those with Bipolar as mood stabilizers.

Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal, etc.. are anti-psychotics primarily used for psychosis or psychotic symptoms. HOWEVER, they are alarmingly used moreso for sleep management, mood disorders, and behavior management/temper regulation. Abilify is also advertised now as being an add on to certain anti-depressants if those certain ADs do not help for those suffering with major depression.

So... just cause doc wrote a script and told you to take it does not make you have a certain diagnosis.

If you really are concerned, simply ask the doctor and if you don't agree... seek another opinion.

lithium or depression

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