"prescribed this drug when i was 14/15, underweight and struggling to function. although never formally diagnosed with an eating disorder, i was restricting my eating and making myself sick. i was 5ft 4 and dropped to 7.8 stone at my lowest, looking gaunt and painfully thin. 

the drug helped me sleep, and helped with my depression. as the dose increased, i was gaining weight rapidly. traumatising for a recovering teenager, i hated the way i looked, i was drowsy and lethargic and my self esteem plummeted. nearly none of my clothes fitted and trying on new clothes nearly always led to tears. i hated the way i looked and am still in the process of coming off the drug. 

for me, lithium has been a god send for my bipolar."