What can I take instead of lithium?

Second generation mood stabilizing anticonvulsants carbamazepine and valproate are now widely used as alternatives or adjuncts to lithium.

What is a good substitute for lithium?

Lithium's close chemical cousin, sodium, has been the basis for research into new batteries for years now. One half of sodium chloride, or table salt, it sits in the square below lithium on the periodic table, also in group 1, but weightier.

What other mood stabilizers are there besides lithium?

Lithium, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics are the three main types of drug which are used as mood stabilisers. There are several types of individual drug within each of these groups.
...
Anticonvulsants
  • carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • valproate (Depakote, Epilim).


Is there a natural lithium?

Lithium is a naturally occurring mineral, and trace amounts are present in the water many of us drink. And areas with more lithium in the water supply tend to have lower suicide rates!

What drug can be used as an alternative to lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder particularly with rapid cyclers?

Memantine as a monotherapy also has been reported to show beneficial effects in a few individual patients with bipolar disorder, including after discontinuation of lithium treatment[95-98].

Why Does Lithium Help Bipolar Disorder?



How do you beat bipolar naturally?

10 Tips for Overcoming Bipolar Disorder
  1. How to Deal with Bipolar Disorder: 10 Ways to Cope. ...
  2. Be An Active Participant In Your Treatment. ...
  3. Go To Therapy. ...
  4. Closely Observe Your Mood and Symptoms. ...
  5. Don't Isolate Yourself. ...
  6. Develop a Routine. ...
  7. Focus on Diet and Exercise. ...
  8. Reduce Your Stress.


How can I fix my bipolar without medication?

Managing a condition like bipolar disorder without mood stabilisers can be challenging. But medication isn't right for everyone.
...
Talking therapies
  1. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). ...
  2. Interpersonal therapy. ...
  3. Behavioural couples therapy. ...
  4. Family intervention.


What food is high in lithium?

Studies often found the same foodstuff could have undetectable levels up to a few milligrams per kilogram of lithium. The main sources of lithium in food are generally nuts, legumes, cereal grains and vegetables.

What drinks have lithium in them?

The soft drink 7Up was originally named "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda" when it was formulated in 1929 because it contained lithium citrate. The beverage was a patent medicine marketed as a cure for hangover.

How do you increase lithium in your body?

Less salt can make your lithium levels rise, while increasing your salt intake can cause it to fall. Caffeine intake. Caffeine found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks may have an effect on lithium levels. Less caffeine can cause your lithium levels to rise, while more can cause it to lower.

What is better than lithium for bipolar?

Conclusions: These results suggest that olanzapine was significantly more effective than lithium in preventing manic and mixed episode relapse/recurrence in patients acutely stabilized with olanzapine and lithium co-treatment. Both agents were comparable in preventing depression relapse/recurrence.

Can a person just stop taking lithium?

Do not stop taking lithium suddenly or change your dose without speaking to your doctor first. It's important you keep taking it, even if you feel better. If you stop taking it suddenly you could become unwell again very quickly.

What is the safest mood stabilizer?

The safest and most efficacious mood stabilizer combinations appear to be the mixtures of anticonvulsants and lithium, particularly valproate plus lithium.

Why do bipolar patients stop taking lithium?

Usual suspects? Adverse effects were the most common cause for lithium discontinuation. Among the adverse effects, diarrhoea, tremor, creatinine increase, polyuria/polydipsia/diabetes insipidus and weight gain were the top five reasons for discontinuing lithium.

How can I get lithium naturally?

Lithium in Food Products

The main sources of Li in the diet are cereals, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and some mineral waters [44]. It may also be found in some spices such as nutmeg, coriander seeds, or cumin; however, their share in the total supply of this element is negligible in many geographic regions [49].

Is there lithium in lemons?

As a rule, fruits contain less lithium than vegetative parts of plants (vegetables). Lemons and apples contained significantly more lithium, with about 1.4 mg kg1 dry matter, than peas and beans, which, like the different kinds of cereals grains, are extremely lithium-poor as seeds.

Does body need lithium?

In fact, most of us get some lithium every day from our food and water. At these trace levels, lithium appears to have beneficial effects for brain and mental health. In my psychiatry practice, I often recommend lithium supplements for a wide variety of patients, not just those with bipolar disorder.

What are the symptoms of lithium deficiency?

(2) Low levels of lithium have been associated with a number of disorders associated with the central nervous system (CNS), including depression, impulse control disorder, mood disorders, violent behavior, drug dependency, reduced fertility, and learning disorders. (3-‐6).

What not to eat when you have bipolar?

What Foods and Drinks Should People With Bipolar Disorder Avoid?
  • Caffeine. “Stimulants can trigger mania and should be avoided,” says Jess G. ...
  • Alcohol. Alcohol and bipolar disorder are a bad combination. ...
  • Sugar. ...
  • Salt. ...
  • Fat.


What should Bipolar avoid?

Avoid concentrated sources of simple sugars, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, jellies and jams, syrups, and candy bars. Go for Fatty Acids – Omega-3s, the essential fatty acids found in walnuts, flaxseed, and coldwater fish, such as salmon. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine – alcohol is a depressant.

What is a natural mood stabilizer?

Adaptogens, exercise, nutrition, meditation or mindfulness, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D are some examples of natural mood stabilizers.

Can a person with bipolar live without medication?

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong, progressive mental health condition, which means that it requires long-term treatment. The symptoms won't go away on their own — and these symptoms can negatively impact the person's health, safety, and quality of life.

What vitamins help with bipolar disorder?

Vitamins for Bipolar
  • Vitamin B1 (aka thiamin) - many use vitamin B1 to manage the irritability and anxiety associated with bipolar disorder. ...
  • Ginkgo Biloba – this supplement is a popular natural approach in the treatment of bipolar disorder.


What foods help bipolar disorder?

Eating a balance of protective, nutrient-dense foods. These foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, cold-water fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, soy products, and nuts and seeds.

What is a natural mood booster?

Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds, along with tree nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts and pistachios, are high in plant-based proteins, healthy fats and fiber. They also provide tryptophan, an amino acid that produces serotonin, a known mood booster.