"i was diagnosed with bipolar type i in 2008.  i sort of knew that i was bipolar, and i also heard that lithium was a terrible drug (thanks to the teachings of a very misinformed individual).  i tried 3 mood stabilizers over the past 7 years.  each of the mood stabilizers was an anti seizure med.  finally, i had to go on lithium.  within one week, i felt better than i had ever felt before.  i suffered from horrible irritability all this time.  my irritability is now gone. my own son said that i am lot nicer now. hearing my son say that made this switch very worth while."