This was a brilliant lecture. I hear it nearly every year and as always one learns something new each time from Dr McKeon

I take Lithium myself very successfully so it was interesting to hear from people who were being weaned off it by their doctors after many years to allow their ‘true’ personalities to come through. As Dr McKeon suggested, if their original diagnosis of bipolar was wrong or inaccurate, this could be good for the patient. But otherwise this kind of strategy can result in relapse for the patient.

I and my extended family don’t believe that Lithium has dulled my personality. Since I have been stabilised on it, I have held down a full time job and have a full social life and also have some time to be a volunteer. My personality has flowered and it has been a great help to me.

Glad you enjoyed the lecture Martina - and thanks again to Dr. McKeon for his time.

Of course everyone’s experiences of various treatments will be different so the most important thing is always to keep in close contact with your doctor(s). That way, treatments can be monitored properly and changed where necessary.