"a few weeks ago decided to go off lithium because i felt &quot;fine&quot;.....bad decision.  i went right into a severe manic state.  paranoid, delusional, severe anger.  back on lithium and all is well again.  only side effects for me are extreme thirst/dry mouth and sore joints.  i take 450 mg er twice a day.  lithium allows me to go to work every day, pay my bills and enjoy life in general.  highly recommend."