velvykat5731

Lithium is the "golden standard" for bipolar disorder (BD). It is a neuroprotective medication and probably the only one that can prevent suicidal ideation and the common occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. Yet, I hear more and more that it is not effective for everyone and I see it less and less recommended.

My question is: What's the role and understanding of lithium nowadays? Bonus: As a bipolar patient without good medication yet, should I ask that we consider lithium for my treatment plan or its alternatives are better?

Thank you very much.

Hello. I am a person with some contradictions, haha. I've always been kind of nervous, anxious, but I can also be impulsive and intense. In case it helps, I am diagnosed with ADHD and BD-1 (which has been in remission for a while).

So... What often happens to me is that I do speak; I am cautious with what I say but I feel like I need to say something. Bam! A participation happens.

Then, after the public event, I feel so ashamed. I feel like I ruined not only my idea but the rhythm of everything; that it was best if I didn't speak. I feel like a fool 🤡, even if my participation was normal. I start to think that maybe they noticed my flaws, not only the ones in my ideas but the ones in my body. Maybe my mouth moved weirdly? Maybe I walked out doing that walk that looks ridiculous? And it gets worse. "Maybe today I ruined my reputation!", "Perhaps everybody felt awkward and now they don't like me very much". In other words, my participation sends me into an anxious rumination afterwards.

But, still, I participate, I comment, and even debate (that happens rarely, but it does happen). It's just the aftermath that's awful.

Do you have any recommendation for me and anyone that experiences the same thing? Thank you so much!

What are your recommendations (strategies, books, therapies, whatever) for people who have a hard time starting or continuing projects? I don't know if it's motivation, anxiety, ADHD, but my roomie and I struggle to even open a book. University projects are very hard for us. There are things that we cannot do, such as personal plans (writing or learning new things). And it just seems like we'll procrastinate our dreams away.

Thank you.