Feeling Stable

For the first three days after beginning Lithium, I did not have any bipolar symptoms. I have been on the Lithium for over a week now, and although I am having some minor ups and downs, and some very mild anxiety and irritability, I feel stable. Before I started the Lithium, I was crying almost everyday. I was so anxious that it hurt to even breathe. I was constantly furious over the smallest things. I also had horrible manic episodes. It is amazing; for years I suffered, and with taking those first two pills, it went away. I still fear that the depression, the anger, the anxiety, or manic episodes will rear their ugly faces any day now. I am still getting used to feeling "normal" or stable. I have heard many people say that they did not like lithium because it made them feel too normal. It does feel weird, I will admit that. I think though, it is a matter of learning to function as a stable person. It is getting used to feeling and thinking in a new way.

Glad things are turning around for you!

I am glad you are feeling better! My counselor told me once that feeling stable will take some getting used to. I was so used to feeling sad/depressed that it felt really weird to feel "normal". Normal is a relative term...I feel that baseline is like normal to me. I had so many mood swings in one day that it took awhile to realize that life didn't have to be that way all the time. I still live in fear that the depression will come back....but with my counselor's help I am learning the warning signs so that I don't ever get to that point again. Maybe you could write down some triggers/warning signs for you to help you stay on top of it. Good luck!