Lithium And A Lover

Lithium is indeed used like a drug to treat mainly bipolar disorder. It is an antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer with some antidepressant effects. If someone with major depressive disorder (or unipolar, if you like) isn't responding well to an antidepressant, lithium will sometimes be prescribed along with it to see if it will help the AD work before switching to a different drug.

Afaik lithium is not abusable. People on lithium need to get their levels checked regularly, as lithium toxicity is NOT fun. It also has some rather nasty side effects.

I find the "lithium and a lover" phrase rather silly tbh. Neither will cure the world, or even someone's subjective world (unless they fool themselves into thinking that another mortal has superhuman powers). Mood stabilizers can, however, bring relief to someone suffering from certain mood disorders, but it has to be the right drug for the right individual. Anyone who's been on the med-go-round knows what I'm talking about.

I rather like this song because I remember being there, when I was certain I was doomed to the living hell that was my dysfunctional brain until I commited suicide. It's pure desperation to escape from one's own mind.

Yes, exactly, like the boredom of life is way to much to handle, so either drug yourself or find someone who understands your pain...I don't find that silly at all...been trying for 26 years to make reality go away... or find someone to share life with.

weatherlight has it nailed on the drug lithium. i think, though, that the reason it is used in the title, along with the word lover, is simply for the alliteration effect.

'lithium and a lover' sounds a lot better than...

'lexapro and an AA meeting'

I think the meaning of this song is about someone who is so hurt inside emotionally that they are in constant pain and torment from the thoughts inside that hurt them. The person wants something that will stop his mania and ease the pain. Lithium would have the effect of stabilising him and keeping him calm, while the soothing touch of someone who loves him gives temporary release from pain, and he can forget his problems, just for a while. The lithium and a lover are metaphorically the same thing, and both act to return him to a stable state of mind, as his mind is playing havoc with him currently

One should know that lithium salts are a common medication for bipolar disorder. It has antimanic and antidepressive properties, and is one of the best drugs for stopping suicidal tendencies. It's said to increase serotonin (a happiness hormone) levels in the brain. I've tried lithium myself in rather low dosages, and it really helps when I'm in a low. For me, Lithium does wonders in stopping negative thoughts, and it makes the world and my situation appear a whole lot better.

And obviously, a lover can also be a huge psychological and emotional support. This makes the song's meaning quite self-explanatory: The person is in a really deep low with suicidal thoughts, and desires Lithium drugs for controlling the negative, destructive thoughts and a lover to have someone to talk to and be close to; in order to regain some psychological and emotional stability.

Agree with most of the other comments about song meaning.

My own view is that while I can have sympathy for the view expressed in the song "Give me something for my mind" I personally prefer songs about the struggle to live a happy life in this world, that end with the singer finding some light from within other than from drugs (lithium) or needing someone else (lover).

self explanatory. a person draws near the edge of insanity, who desires something to renew them. I halfway understand the metaphor lithium and a lover for a "peerless cure". so.. is it lithium like batteries? or does the element lithium have some medical purpose? either way it still makes sense, no real mystery here. just an awesome gothic song with awesome structure.

If you look on the cover on the album, if you have it, there are pictures of pills of some description. Medical purpose maybe, or even drug abuse.

Actually, Lithium is also used as a drug, the song is about drug abuse.

The above post is full of win.