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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Exp 50 years

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Would Lithium Help In Dealing With Severe Depression In A Long Distance Runner?

Hi, my son is a distance runner and suffers from depression. He does not want to go on the typical depression meds because he is concerned that they will impede his training and performance. Recently we have heard of the benefits of Lithium for the treatment of deprssion with little or no side effects. What are your thoughts?
Thu, 27 Sep 2018
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,

Lithium is a mood stabilizer and typically used for bipolar disorder in which you have both phases of depression that is low phase and mania that is high phase.

Everything which affect our body will have some side effects and even lithium is not free of that. There are various antidepressant available which cause little side effect and can be taken safely and will not hamper with his training.

Contact nearby psychiatric clinic. These symptoms do worsen with time.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Rohit Kothari
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Would Lithium Help In Dealing With Severe Depression In A Long Distance Runner?

Hello, Lithium is a mood stabilizer and typically used for bipolar disorder in which you have both phases of depression that is low phase and mania that is high phase. Everything which affect our body will have some side effects and even lithium is not free of that. There are various antidepressant available which cause little side effect and can be taken safely and will not hamper with his training. Contact nearby psychiatric clinic. These symptoms do worsen with time. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Rohit Kothari