Lithium worked better for me than anything else i have tried,but more and more doctors are recomending newer drugs.I have had little sucsess with the newer drugs.But i am Bipolar NOS and i am resistant to teatment i have worn down 8 doctors and have the 9th ready to send me else where.I lost my job and now have no insurance making it hard to get any drugs and i have found no help with government agencies.It was recomended to me that i declare myself indigent and check into a state hospital<but if you have never been there it is worse than prison and they treat you like a object to silence.They drug you out and leave you a zombie.  Good luck.