What exactly is the drug "lithium" for...I think it has something to do with depression (bipolar)...?

Question

In the new EvanEscence cd "The Open Door," Amy Lee sings a song called Lithium. The song goes:
* * = chorus
____

*Lithium-Don't want to lock me up inside
Lithium-Don't want to forget how it feels without
Lithium-I want to stay in love with my sorrow*
Oh, but God, I want to let it go.
Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone
Couldn't hide the emptiness, you let it show
Never wanted it to be so cold
Just didn't drink enough to say you loved me
I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me
*Chorus*
Oh, don't want to let it lay me down this time
Drown my will to fly
Here in the darkness I know myself
Can't break free until I let it go
Let me go
Darling I forgive you after all
Anything is better than to be alone
But in the end I guess I had to fall
Always find my place among the ashes
I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me
*Chorus*
Oh, I'm gonna let it go
_____
It sounds like a song about depression. What does this song mean and what is "lithium?"

Answer 1

OK, so this is from a bipolar sufferer...

Lithium is the oldest drug used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Bipolar sufferers endure prolonged periods of clinical and often suicidal depression and periods of hypomania and mania. During hypomanic phases, we are often super productive, creative, successful, outgoing, and then we develop into mania and begin to lose the plot, sometimes descending into psychosis.

I'm going to break up the order of the chorus by one word, and insert commentary.

Don't want to lock me up inside Lithium
<< there is a terrible feeling of being emotionally restricted while on bipolar medications - the range of emotions feels compressed, and you feel trapped >>

Don't want to forget how it feels without Lithium
<< there is a terrible longing to return to the high flying hypomanias, where you were all powerful, nothing could stop you and everything was exciting >>

I want to stay in love with my sorrow
<< even the depths of depression become strangely comforting as the disease cycles - it's kind of warm and dark, and it's too much effort to break away from >>

Oh, but God, I want to let it go.
<< from the rare perspective of normality, in between the wild swings, it becomes obvious how much this disease wrecks your life. It has cost me relationships, jobs, $ tens of thousands, almost my marriage and almost my life on several occasions>>

You get the picture?

Answer 2

Hi, Lithium is a psychotropic medication. It is used for Manic-Depressive disorders(now called bi-polar.) It is mood altering and levels out the highs and lows that the person needs. That is what the song is saying. Patients with this disorder are either hyperactive(sometimes not sleeping for days), or they are extremely depressed(sleeping for days). Lithium evens out the highs and lows so the person can function normally. Patty Duke is manic-depressive and she is able to handle daily functions just fine as long as she is on the medication. The problem usually is the patient stops taking the lithium when they are feeling better and they are again on this high-low roller coaster.

Answer 3

Lithium is a mineral and can be very harsh to take. Its not something given to "just anybody." I've been on 4-5 different drugs for 13 years for bipolar, disociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder), post traumatic stress disorder and an Anxiety disorder and I've never had it so bad I've had to take Lithium. Of course some psychiatrists could just prescribe it easier than mine, I don't know. However, I'm not sure I would take it, as it can cause flashbacks.

Answer 4

It used to be used (and sometimes still is) to treat mental illnesses such as scisophernia and bipolar disorder. I think it actually works as a mood stabalizer. I have heard of it also being used on patients with other disorders why are on various mood altering meds because it helps to stablilize the effects of the various meds. I don't agree with using it because it is just so hard on the body. From what I have seen they generally have to give patience being administed lithum regular kidney tests. It was a good treatment in the 60s when it was all that was available and it helped patients to lead a somewhat normal life but there are far better medications available now.

Answer 5

Yes, lithium is for bipolar, it's considered a mood stabilizer being so bipolar disorder is both manic and depressive. I was misdiagnosed for bipolar two years ago and they had me on lithium, when you're on it you have to be careful of your salt intake as it is a form of salt. Lithium can also be prescribed along with antidepressents to help them work.

Answer 6

The song talks about how being on meds for the depression and mania (highs) make her feel that she has lost her sense of who she is. The manias make some people feel alive and creative and on top of the world, but it is a false and harmful illusion. She knows the medication is what she needs, but feels it robs her of the essence of her personality. This is a big reason bipolars get off medication and get into trouble.

Answer 7

Lithium is a drug given to people with depression; specifically bi-polar disorders. You have extreme ups and downs. I had to take Lithium in College and it made me feel very un-coordinated and dizzy. I felt like a zombie walking around in a cloud. It is rare to be prescribed this drug and with good reason....the side effects. In the song she talks about taking the bad feelings away.......lithium will do that.......along with all your other feelings.

Answer 8

It's used as a mood stabilizer. It's most effective for people with "classic" bipolar disorder (pure episodes of mania often alternating with pure depressive episodes). It's less effective for bipolar patients that experience rapid-cycling or "mixed" episodes. Sometimes it's also helpful for people with recurrent major depressive disorders who experience frequent episodes.

Answer 9

It's used to treat bipolar disorder, though scientists don't know why or how it works.

Answer 10

lithium is a rare metallic gas. it is more efficient in storing energy than battery acid so it is used in new batteries. never heard about a drug called lithium before.