Lithium has the highest success rate of all the mood stabilizers (although I hear Lamictal is also very good). All medications are dangerous if not monitored. I had an idiot psychiatrist who OD'd me on Lithium too. He wouldnt draw a level and no matter how much I complained, he just kept throwing new drugs at me or increasing the Lithium. Finally, I went to somebody else and he did a blood draw and level. My level was 1.6!!! And that was after I had refused to take the Lithium for about three days and was feeling better. I was afraid to take it again because it made me feel "dream-like" and "zombie-like." However, it WAS an overdose. My daughter felt the same horrendous "dream state" on Depakote. My son really likes Lamictal. If I was forced to take a mood stabilizer again (if my mania went out of control) I'd ask for Lamictal, but Lithium has a proven track record. I think the key is good monitoring and listening to side effects. LIthium has been tried longer than any other medication for bipolar. It can't hurt to try it, but make sure he gets bi-weekly blood draws.
