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a.k.a. li, lith, Carbolith, Duralith, Eskalith, Lithane, Lithizine, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs |
Like the IUD (Intra Uterine Device), lithium is one of those mystical medical mysteries; it works, but no one can explain how. In 1994, the Wall Street Journal praised its diversity: "A Little Lithium May Be Just What The Doctor Ordered... It Treats Manic Depression, Hardens Glass and Kills The Algae in Your Pool" Lithium is a mineral, an element situated right there on the Periodic Table, atomic number 3. Lithium is also used in batteries. Lithium, apparently, fueled the Starship Enterprise (feel free to correct me, I don't watch the f*cking show). Strange then that it's affect on the human consumer is a slowing of responses, a dulling of the senses, memory loss and an all around... ennui. Lithium, the drug, is an anti-manic agent, intended for those afflicted with the mental illness Bipolar Affective Disorder (the former Manic Depression). Although particularly useful at slowing down an acute manic episode, it can also assist in preventing the opposite end of the spectrum, crippling depression. It levels you out. Mostly. On lithium, one is required to take regular blood tests; excess amounts in the system are poisonous. Typical side effects include tremors, twitching, diarrhea, memory loss, fuzzy thinking, loss of sexual interest, weight gain and an assortment of other beauties. Lithium is often taken in the company of other drugs; perhaps a member of the newly popular, "personality enhancing", anti-depressants, a representative from those stuck-in-the-70s benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium), and an assortment of other wannabe's on the pharmaceutical glamour scene. Lithium is a lifesaver, but a melancholy compromise - the loss of the vitality and passion that you had always considered "personality". But when your "personality" causes you to, hypothetically, beat up cars on the street (mania gives you superhuman strength by the way) or hear voices, or read "Wouldn't You Rather Be Dead?" in the scrolling sign at the mall, you may start to wonder if your "personality" has become too much for you to handle. The upside to lithium is that, in the community of those who consume it, at least half are on the Internet, and there's always someone who's a bit resistant, or a tad immune, and on an upward swing and happy to express it. And when they've tumbled down, someone else is ready to fill their shoes, for a time. And, although it's probably darkened, your sense of humor may still shine through even at the worst of times. Lithium is good, but it isn't perfect. And that's perfect. |
