"i have suffered from depression for approximately 22 years, i generally medicated with alcohol and anti depressants. i stopped drinking over 2 years ago and my depression appeared to worsen however i was also noticing periods of wonderful happiness (which was unusual, but enjoyable!) which i could never remember experiencing before. i was diagnosed with bipolar in january this year, after coming off a 6 month high and plummeting into severe depression. i have been taking 1500mg of lithium and 375mg of effexor for the past couple of months. i have leveled out emotionally, however am very flat, no enthusiasm or joy just really existing. i feel the lithium has brought me out of the living hell i was in but am still a long way from wellness."