I absolutely would do Lithium. My difficult child has been on Lithobid since he was 12, and it literally changed everything about him. Suddenly the mania he has had since he was 2, the mania that I thought was just who M was, disappeared. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. It is the only medication, I would fight for with blood, sweat, and tears if someone wanted to take difficult child off of it. Interestingly my difficult child is also on Clonidine - I find these 2 medications to be the best combo difficult child has ever had.
I can understand your fears - but you would never let your son go unmonitored like your Uncle. You are the one in control, and you will not let anything happen to him.
We live in Texas, where the summers can be 105 all summer long - but even with that, as long as difficult child drinks lots of water, he has been fine.
