"i&#039;m 21 and have bipolar disorder i&#039;ve been on lithium for exactly a year next month. the only side effect i 100% know is from the lithium is retaining water weight (i haven&#039;t gained actual weight at all on lithium) once i drink more water i&#039;m fine. i&#039;m more on the manic pole so the lithium levels me out, decreases my impulses and over all i&#039;m more pleasant to be around, less snappy. i was on klonopin for 4 years and once i went on lithium i easily came off of it once my bipolar was under control (about 3 months into getting my lithium levels up) lithium is a lifesaver to me and i can&#039;t imagine not taking it. it&#039;s the only one that works for me. and i like myself on lithium.im more than satisfied after 8 years of trial and error."