"hell for many years now.  2 months ago i was once again fetal positioned in a laundry basket rocking back and forth in the attic and i finally said enough is enough%u2026i am going to get help. i am a rapid cycler-about every 10 days my episodes would begin again-i had about 5 good days/month. i never wanted to be &quot;zombiefied&quot; by medicine so, i reluctantly and very defensively went to the doctor and asked for help. they gave me lithium and i can&#039;t believe the change! i finally feel free for the first time in my life. i am on a lower dose than some. i still have some symptoms, but feeling them is allowing me to work through them, and also not lose my creativity. only side effect is that i walk into things- annoying."