Hypomania

This picture was taken in 2002. I had gone off lithium to lose weight and I did. I lost 60 pounds without much effort. I also ended up being hospitalized for mania and going back on lithium.

Lithium prevents mania, but does nothing for depression (at least not for me), which is why I also took Lamictal (and still do), a mood stabilizer that is more effective for depression than for mania. The two seemed to balance me out for a while, but I developed health problems from taking lithium and had to try (and am still trying) new medications. I consider my treatment for bipolar disorder to be a work in progress. As new medications are developed, I might try them if my current medication is not working well.

In this picture, I was hypomanic, meaning I was in the early stages of mania -- when it is more fun than scary.