Lithium can help in being less suicidal

[Jdieiejdjaow]

Seems lithium plays an important role in regulating suicidality as well as mood.

 

[LapseInTime]

That's only when it's not causing hypothyroidism. The mind fog; it just dumbs you down, the weight gain is atrocious, the blood testing every so often. It's not even all that helpful.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

That's only when it's not causing hypothyroidism. The mind fog; it just dumbs you down, the weight gain is atrocious, the blood testing every so often. It's not even all that helpful.

Indeed, high doses such as those targeted to manage bipolar can give such side effects. However, low doses for day to day consumption as part of a healthy diet (mostly from water consumed) can make suicidality be more easily managed.

 

[LapseInTime]

Indeed, high doses such as those targeted to manage bipolar can give such side effects. However, low doses for day to day consumption as part of a healthy diet (mostly from water consumed) can make suicidality be more easily managed.

I have never been bipolar, I was taking 300mg. It was still difficult; besides, no matter the dose, you'll still have to check your lithium levels and TSH. It can be lifesaving for some people, or all-around destructive for others. I fit into the latter category.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

I have never been bipolar, I was taking 300mg. It was still difficult; besides, no matter the dose, you'll still have to check your lithium levels and TSH. It can be lifesaving for some people, or all-around destructive for others. I fit into the latter category.

Interesting. The normal intake from daily dietary ingestion is 1 to 2 mg. May I ask what brought you into the circumstance of having to take 300mg? Was that daily?

 

[LapseInTime]

Interesting. The normal intake from daily dietary ingestion is 1 to 2 mg. May I ask what brought you into the circumstance of having to take 300mg? Was that daily?

Yes. It was essentially a "hail marry". I was told that low doses can be tolerable and that it may improve my mood. It did not, it was intolerable to take. I remember that I complained of fatigue and I got Lithium plus an antidepressant (escitalopram, I think?). The antidepressant did nothing, like many others before it. As soon as we added lithium, my fatigue skyrocketed, I was feeling spaced out, similarly to what it felt like when I was on topiramate. It did not "dumb me down" as much though, unlike topiramate, it did make me gain weight. It was promptly discontinued. Many psychiatrists swear by lithium but it can be a very harsh drug and ineffective, despite the hype. If anything, it made my ADHD much worse, which, in turn, further worsened my depression as if its side effects weren't enough.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

Yes. It was essentially a "hail marry". I was told that low doses can be tolerable and that it may improve my mood. It did not, it was intolerable to take. I remember that I complained of fatigue and I got Lithium plus an antidepressant (escitalopram, I think?). The antidepressant did nothing, like many others before it. As soon as we added lithium, my fatigue skyrocketed, I was feeling spaced out, similarly to what it felt like when I was on topiramate. It did not "dumb me down" as much though, unlike topiramate, it did make me gain weight. It was promptly discontinued. Many psychiatrists swear by lithium but it can be a very harsh drug and ineffective, despite the hype. If anything, it made my ADHD much worse, which, in turn, further worsened my depression as if its side effects weren't enough.

Wow. So sorry to hear of your experience. That sounds like it must've been awful. Indeed, I'd probably discontinue it as well. Yes, and, everyone, like you said, may react differently which is why it's important to make any changes in accordance with support from healthcare. I'd say that the video I shared most probably refers to deficiency and not cranking doses up hoping for a miracle. And how are you keeping now?

 

[LapseInTime]

Wow. So sorry to hear of your experience. That sounds like it must've been awful. Indeed, I'd probably discontinue it as well. Yes, and, everyone, like you said, may react differently which is why it's important to make any changes in accordance with support from healthcare. I'd say that the video I shared most probably refers to deficiency and not cranking doses up hoping for a miracle. And how are you keeping now?

Let's just say it's very rare that I'll participate in the Recovery forum.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

Let's just say it's very rare that I'll participate in the Recovery forum.

I see. And that's because you find there's no solution to your situation?

 

[LapseInTime]

I see. And that's because you find there's no solution to your situation?

I really wasn't the one trying to find the solutions, so I think it was concluded for me :p. In all seriousness, after years of effort, medication and therapy, believing otherwise would be weird.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

I really wasn't the one trying to find the solutions, so I think it was concluded for me :p. In all seriousness, after years of effort, medication and therapy, believing otherwise would be weird.

Sorry to hear about that. And it's because all the attempts have landed you in a place where you think they don't work, even if you tried a combination of medication and therapy - you still feel at a loss with regards to your ADHD?

 

[LapseInTime]

Sorry to hear about that. And it's because all the attempts have landed you in a place where you think they don't work, even if you tried a combination of medication and therapy - you still feel at a loss with regards to your ADHD?

Yes, it's gotten to where I am not taking any meds that exacerbate it (ssris, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, I can't take any of that), but it is still there. I am room-bound so while there are not many things for me to do or many things I can do, it is still there.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

Yes, it's gotten to where I am not taking any meds that exacerbate it (ssris, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, I can't take any of that), but it is still there. I am room-bound so while there are not many things for me to do or many things I can do, it is still there.

I see. And you went to a therapist specialized in autism/ADHD that after a long and thorough examination, concluded you're suffering from ADHD?

 

[LapseInTime]

I see. And you went to a therapist specialized in autism/ADHD that after a long and thorough examination, concluded you're suffering from ADHD?

Psychologist at first, psychiatrist(s) then. Where I live it's not even a thing, there are no specialized doctors and psychologists for that, let alone when I was young. I don't think I have autism, I've never gotten such diagnosis.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

Psychologist at first, psychiatrist(s) then. Where I live it's not even a thing, there are no specialized doctors and psychologists for that, let alone when I was young. I don't think I have autism, I've never gotten such diagnosis.

What's striking is that C-PTSD symptoms overlap with ADHD symptoms and if you had a bad experience with medication and therapy, it might (although I'm not saying I'm an expert and I've ruled it out over the internet) be something else. ADHD is overly diagnosed nowadays (as it's trending) so it's possible you might have been misdiagnosed. Though this is just me, having my doubts. Without an assessment from a specialized professional in ADHD, I'd be having thoughts of getting a second opinion.

I was diagnosed as bipolar by an incompetent therapist who (re)traumatized me (she did exposure and somatic therapy with me while I was [unaware to me] in an unsafe work environment). I went for trauma therapy with a therapist specialized in trauma and he diagnosed me (correctly) with C-PTSD, extreme anxiety and dissociation. Now I'm homeless and on disability welfare, having lost everything because of her. So make sure your therapist is specialized in what they say you suffer from. There are therapists who might provide their services over the wire (online/phone etc.) if you can't attend in person.

 

[LapseInTime]

What's striking is that C-PTSD symptoms overlap with ADHD symptoms and if you had a bad experience with medication and therapy, it might (although I'm not saying I'm an expert and I've ruled it out over the internet) be something else. ADHD is overly diagnosed nowadays (as it's trending) so it's possible you might have been misdiagnosed. Though this is just me, having my doubts. Without an assessment from a specialized professional in ADHD, I'd be having thoughts of getting a second opinion.

I was diagnosed as bipolar by an incompetent therapist who (re)traumatized me (she did exposure and somatic therapy with me while I was [unaware to me] in an unsafe work environment). I went for trauma therapy with a therapist specialized in trauma and he diagnosed me (correctly) with C-PTSD, extreme anxiety and dissociation. Now I'm homeless and on disability welfare, having lost everything because of her. So make sure your therapist is specialized in what they say you suffer from. There are therapists who might provide their services over the wire (online/phone etc.) if you can't attend in person.

I've had it since I was a child, it was not diagnosed often at all. I've had success with 2 treatments so far, once was good but was very taxing on my circulatory system (hypotension all-around, particularly when standing up and another medication which I've been taking for a long time. I do have PTSD, regular, zoloft-kind of PTSD. I have never heard of C-PTSD. We do not have such specialized doctors here, but, to be truthful, after a long while, I stopped talk therapy. It was difficult to afford and it was not helping at all. I'm in solitude all day, that's how I don't get triggered anymore. I still have flashbacks sometimes but it's manageable when I am alone. Perhaps the eating disorder makes it all blend, I've been told it's quite common.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

I've had it since I was a child, it was not diagnosed often at all. I've had success with 2 treatments so far, once was good but was very taxing on my circulatory system (hypotension all-around, particularly when standing up and another medication which I've been taking for a long time. I do have PTSD, regular, zoloft-kind of PTSD. I have never heard of C-PTSD. We do not have such specialized doctors here, but, to be truthful, after a long while, I stopped talk therapy. It was difficult to afford and it was not helping at all. I'm in solitude all day, that's how I don't get triggered anymore. I still have flashbacks sometimes but it's manageable when I am alone. Perhaps the eating disorder makes it all blend, I've been told it's quite common.

You're the expert on your body and mind. You haven't heard of C-PTSD because the APA politically decided to exclude it from getting into DSM 5-TR (the most recent version of the "Bible on mental disorders") despite tons of evidence. The symptoms of C-PTSD and ADHD are very similar in some regards and very distinct in others. Ask ChatGPT if you're curious or do your own research.

Sorry to hear about your experience and that PTSD makes it harder. I also live in solitude (except at the homeless shelter where I've to deal with my awful roommate and the staff), though part of it is my C-PTSD, the other part being that I'm a sociopath so I prefer to stay away from people (anti-socials being abusive and pro-social being exclusive of neurodivergent people like me).

I wish there'd be medication that'd help with your symptoms and be positive for your well-being overall. Unfortunately, I'm not an expert so I cannot advise on what you should try. It can suck and be depressing when we feel stuck and that we don't get much help. I know I go into hopelessness/helplessness whenever I am abused my either my narcissistic bully child sex offender roommate or the shelter staff and want to CTB. I wish I could tell you that things will get better, though the reality is we're still in it and the light at the end of the tunnel has yet to appear. And the way things go in the world at the moment, we might even see WW3 and the aftermath before we see a restructuring and better living conditions for us all. Hopefully we won't need any of this and that the restructuring comes naturally - I'd really be glad to be wrong and that this would be the way forward.

 

[Leiot]

Thanks for the info about lithium & bipolar. I was considering asking my shrink about trying it but not now.

 

[LapseInTime]

Thanks for the info about lithium & bipolar. I was considering asking my shrink about trying it but not now.

Perhaps it may work for you, keep in mind I wasn't bipolar. Do be wary of the side effects though.

 

[N7_Alliance_Marine]

Understood. I'll consume lithium batteries.

 

[Jdieiejdjaow]

Understood. I'll consume lithium batteries.