Could lithium 300mg be accelerating my anger into rage?
Question posted by lmnopqrstuv on 1 April 2014
Last updated on 8 August 2023
Been taking this dose for 14 days now... Started yelling daily after about 5 days on med... I thought it was circumstantial anger so I ignored my level of anger ... But it is so frequent and I am SO out of character with yelling ( normally once every 1-2 yrs) ... I've yelled at both my 13yr old and my husband in the past week for stuff that I normally communicate (or placate) through... I spoke with my doc and she thinks it is too early to judge this medication. Suicidal thoughts are less than half what they were. I have no physically bothersome side effects... I live in a hateful state (possibly better than sad&hopeless ) . . . But I am hateful in spirit and in words ... I suffer with sever depression, anxiety and some sort of paranoia... Doc says she doesn't think I'm bipolar, and this med is known to reduce suicidal thoughts and help with depression. Doc acts like I shouldn't attribute my anger/rage/hate to this med QUESTION: am I alone in having this reaction??? If so, then I concede that it's all in my head and not related to this med.
I did read an entry where a drugs.com member asked a similar question, but there were other drug and drug interaction possibilities.
Please help. Even if u don't have an account or have interest in this site... I feel like I need to know if this has happened to someone before... Yelling can be dangerous to relationships... I realize my part in controlling my anger but if there is a chemical throwing fuel on my flame I need to know... please
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28 Answers
KE
kevinb1953
8 Aug 2023
Hello. I see that this post is very old but still relevant.
This medication is very potent one way or the other in 30+% of patients. There's a strong reason(s) why should be prescribed mostly by well-trained psychology professionals. It's not a med to just "try". I suggest that you talk to your "well-trained" pharmacist. There you should get all the "ins and outs" "pros and cons". You will be better equiped to make an informed decision of your next move. Do it soon. This is my humble opinion based on some family experience(s).
Best regards, Kevinb1953
Votes: +0
WI
WildcatVet
7 Aug 2023
"Lithium is a mood stabilizing medicine used to treat certain mental illnesses, such as: mania, bipolar disorder, where your mood changes between feeling very high (mania) and very low (depression)" It stabilizes your mood whether you're experiencing manic or depressive episodes.
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IN
Inactive
7 Aug 2023
Lithium only works in 30% of patients. It is also for Bipolar 1 type mania but can work as and adjunct to other meds for major depression and hypomania. I too have only been on it a few weeks and have experienced worsening rage that I have never ever experienced before. My doctor also increased the dose assuming I needed more in my system. When I took antidepressants for years the hypomania wasn’t such that it ruined things. I’ve tried to ask for a return to antidepressants with say lamictal.
WI
WildcatVet
8 Aug 2023
Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones! I take 1200mg/day of lithium and it works 100% beautifully. In fact, after several well-meaning physicians switched me to medications that would work "better" I had to insist on returning to the gold standard medication.
WI
WildcatVet
7 Aug 2023
There is no listing for anger or any other psychiatric side effects or adverse reactions reported with the use of lithium (except mood stabilization). That doesn't mean it can't happen just that no one's reported it to their doctor or the FDA. Hopefully all you experiencing this are reporting it to your doctor for professional help.
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IN
Inactive
7 Aug 2023
OMG this us what Ive been going through. Increasing my lithium dose upt to 300 mg BID and i have NEVER felt such irritability and anger/rage. I was wondering if it was the lithium but to hear you describe the same thing I am convinced. Lithium is actually for Bipolar 1, i.e. mania. I have bipolar 2, more depressive episodes and hypomania. I keep telling my doctor this is wrong but I don’t feel like she’s listening
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PO
poorhistorian
14 Jan 2023
ive been on 300mg for three weeks. whether my anger has gotten worse or has stayed the same, i dont really *know (*), but my behavioral has definitely gotten worse. this medication helps me not care about upsetting other people. i cuss my mom out now on a daily whim. one thing i really like on this medication is i just don't care about censoring myself anymore, because before i was a scaredy cat around other people. on this medication i can't think, i can't do anything. i need to be back on adhd medication but how is my psych going to allow that when i report to him my anger problems?
*also a new symptom i never had, misspelling words. I used to never misspell words and now i feel like i have room temp IQ
Votes: +0
MM
mmmousemaid
13 Dec 2021
You say you have been taking this dose for 14 days (300mg cap I presume?). Did you take a larger dose before? Have there been any changes in time/dose in your lithium history? Lithium is unlikely to do that imo, so other causes might be searched, either in lithium, lithium interaction with other drugs, or some change we are unaware of.
Votes: +0
DO
Dorianp
12 Dec 2021
Hi I've been struggling with mental health since I was 12 years old I'm now 40. I was on lithium many years ago but I was still using drugs and alcohol and being abused so I don't think it got a fair shot. I'm now on and again and have been on it for 2 months I just went up to 900 mg last week. I am experiencing what feels like rage I always struggle with intense anger which is one of the reasons I got on the medication again but I am getting nervous that it could be making it worse. I'm not sure yet I think it's too soon to tell and I need to get back to my exercise and things like that but once I do those things if I'm still struggling like this and I have to attribute it to the medication or that the medication is just not working but I don't know how to explain it but it feels more like rage and less like anger then it has before.
However my family members and counselors have noticed a huge difference in my mood swings so like I said I'm not going to give it up just yet but I just thought I'd share that I don't think you're crazy this could actually 100% be what's happening to you I think it's most important to trust your gut forget the health care professionals they're not in your head. You're the expert on you. I will share that I have a BS in psych and as in chemical dependency not that that makes me any better able to tell you what's good for you I just thought it might help you trust my opinion a little bit more or maybe less LOL anyways take care
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RX
RxHoudini
30 Dec 2019
If you notice an out of character feeling of darkness or outward anger please consider the harm it could do to your child. I experienced rx that has done that & I told my daughter I hated her & wish she wasn't born. It couldn't be more from the truth... I ADORE HER; SHE IS THE ONLY REASON I LIVE. Even though it was only 2 sentences I will never forgive myself or know how it will affect her. I also physically broke things in fits of senseless rage over petty issues... smashed breakable. I NEVER BROKE OR THREW ANYTHING IN 30×YRS BEFORE OR AFTER THE RX. The mood swings could terrify your love ones putting them on eggshells and causing them mental issues. Be careful with your choices especially while raising an impressionable child... they are so vulnerable & desperate to escape home issues in means of ANY WAY- drugs, sex, bad crowds. I'd rather feel pain then cause it. Best of luck
Votes: +0
MW
MWMWM
30 Dec 2019
I'm coming in very late for a response, but I'm here to tell you that your anger/ sudden rage flare-ups are due to the lithium. Deep down, you knew that. It's just that you questioned yourself so much because you felt out of control and that particular issue was not listed as a COMMON side effect of the medication. You came on here knowing that you were struggling with a very real issue and wanted objective input... but every idiot (no offense to other posters) with time on their hands chimed in with their "common sense" (anything a person with the lowest IQ would have already thought of, considered, and put into practice)... and the "Well, it didn't happen to me so it's probably in your head" mentality. Well, it DID happen to me (lithium rage) and it was NOT in your head. I'd really like to hear an update on how you managed it and how your family situation turned out.
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RA
Ravenismytheripist
5 Feb 2019
Yes, I do feel that lithium causes agitation and BRAIN FOG which triggers rage, anxiety and agitation. My 16 year old son was on 1,200 mil a day since December it’s now February we are down to 300 plan on fully tapering off. As we have been tapping his brain fog and agitation has been getting better and he feels happier. My son was diagnosed as bipolar 1 but I feel this is a misdiagnose. My son’s only manic phase was when he reacted to Zoloft. Lithium is a good drug but it’s not for everyone.
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Ravenismytheripist
5 Feb 2019
Thinking about switching my son to lithium oratate. It is what I take and besides a dry mouth, I get zero side effects.
MW
MWMWM
30 Dec 2019
Be aware that, lithium orotate can cause mood swings, emotional blunting, and episodes of Rage as well. Don't get me wrong I love lithium orotate and I totally endorse it... but I've noticed circumstantial irritations can provoke rage in me (when I'm on lithium orotate) But as long as everything is going fine (How often in life does that happen, though?) I'm okay. It's when something that would normally only provoke a mild frustration in me that, while on lithium, flares up into a huge rage. It is completely out of character for me to experience rage. The only times that I have experienced anger, outbursts, and rage to any degree have been in direct association with some form of lithium. Though, I will say, that lithium orotate has been the most manageable. And, that my emotional states would range from being very blunted... to suddenly angry. Everyone is different, and you may experience little to no side effects.
PO
PolarBear1187
4 Jan 2019
I have been on lithium since 2015 it is now 2019. I have been dealing with rage and anger the whole time and yes it did get worse actually came out when I started taking the lithium. somehow the doctors have convinced me to stay on it that it helps to manage bipolar and it helps to manage your moods. I feel I am completely out of whack I am on 1800 mg of lithium a day as well as 200 of lamictal and 100 of luvox. Just keep trying to add another one or take off another one but do not take that lithium away they say. Even my mother thinks that I should just get off of the medication entirely since nothing seems to have worked and every time I go on something I am better in one way and worse in another.
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1975withdraw
6 Nov 2018
I'm new on here and have questions about lithium? Though I don't know how to ask. I suffer from mood disorder and ptsd and sever anxiety and panic disorder. I've been on .2mg of klonopin for 20 years 3×a day. And I'm starting to have sever side effects, such as trembling from the inside out, hands shaking, clicking my teeth and have no control. Though without it, I have seizures and loose all ability to sometimes comprehending things. Anyway for the first time I took lithium, 300mg 2×a day. And I have never done any kind of hard drugs! But the first time I took lithium, I felt that I had a calmness just take over. As if I had found inner peace, like I was on cloud nine. I've never felt better and never won't to ever loose this feeling. Somebody please share with me your experience.
Did you ever feel the way I'm feeling? Does it last and for how long? What are your experience with this particular medication? To me it's almost to Good to be true, though nothing last forever. My Dr says it's normal..But I need answers from other people. Someone Anyone please help me with this.
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Ravenzan
24 April 2018
My son has been on lithium for 6 days he has had 3 very anger break outs I feel its normal and to be expected as the medicine works its lowering those walls and letting the memories out for him of the pain his parents caused him. he has to get them out he has to come to terms and get the apologizes he deserves for having to live with a violent father , and a mother that didn't understand living with the domestic violence that can damaged the mind of a young child. Though mental illness runs on my husbands family having to live like he did just make it more likely he would suffer from . Hes been diagnose with bipolar and C-ptsd. So like many said every one reacts differently form medications I feel depending on what they have been though. Best wish
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VA
Varonicuh
23 April 2018
Hey, i dont know why but this is happening to me too! Ive been on lithium since March? And at first, i was on just 300mg once at night. But ever since my doctor told me to drink 300mg in the morning and 300mg at night, i NOTICED!!! I noticed i started gettin my rage, i started yelling at my dogs so much and louder. I scared them. I stress so easily and so much that it makes me uncontrollive. I had crying episodes too for a few days. But today is the day that i realized it has to be Lithium thats causing my anger/rage. Its getting out of control. I hate being on medication, i wish i can get off of it. Ive been on different types of medication for 3 years already and it made me gain weight, i dont have a monthly period anymore.. i get acne. Its just crazy. Im going to call my doctor tomorrow, hes a really good doctor but once he finds out about this.. i hope he can change or do something about it! I want to control it!!! Also, ive been on Risperdal, Geodon, Zoloft, and now Lithium!
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CU
Curvesarein
17 Jan 2018
I’ve been on Lithium for 3 weeks now. Just went to 300 mg two weeks ago. I feel a total sense of calm I haven’t felt in years. Not bouncing up and down and all over the place. Sleeping finally and stopped worrying about everything. I also had genetic testing done today and highly recommend it. If you don’t have insurance they have very affordable programs. Highest cost $350. Go to Genesight.com for testimonials. It’s amazing.
