What is lithium used for and why was Britney Spears given it?
BRITNEY Spears told a judge she was forced to take Lithium against her will. It was part of her evidence requesting to remove her dad as her conservator, after he was appointed in 2008 following a series of public meltdowns. Lithium is a type of medicine used as a mood stabiliser. It is used to treat disorders such as:  mania (feeling highly excited, overactive or distracted)  hypo-mania (similar to mania, but less severe)  regular periods of depression, where treatment with other medicines has not worked  bipolar disorder, where your mood changes between feeling very high (mania) and very low (depression)  It can also reduce aggressive or self-harming behaviour. The prescribed drugs are usually administered as tablets, but can also come as a liquid. Anyone over 12 can take two different types, lithium carbonate and lithium citrate. Doses vary depending on age and what you're being treated for, but it's usually taken once a day at night. The popstar, 39, claims her therapist put her on lithium "out of nowhere". She said it followed her announcement she would take a break from live performances. Britney claimed six different nurses went to her home to monitor her and make sure she took the medication for a month, while she wasnt allowed to go anyway during that time period. She said: "Lithium is very very strong, its a completely different medication to what I was used to. "You can go mentally impaired if you take too much or stay on it longer than five months. "I felt drunk, I really couldnt even [look after myself], I couldnt even have a conversation with my mum and dad really about anything.  Most read in Health News FINAL PUSH Brits urged get Covid jab as 'Delta plus' strain is in UK and 60% double jabbed LONG HAUL Two million Brits struck by long Covid as Govt warns of long-term health impact UK'S DIET JOKE! MUTANT SPREAD Map reveals how far Delta plus variant has already spread in UK SIDE EFFECTS Covid vaccines linked to 4 different skin reactions - from hives to swelling DATA NOT DATES The four key numbers that will determine if lockdown can be lifted on July 5  Her court appearance marked the first time she's publicly spoken out against the conservatorship, which was implemented in 2008 after a series of public meltdowns. The legal agreement prevents Britney from controlling her life or having any access to her million-dollar fortune. Under the conservatorship, her life and her multi-million-dollar fortune have been under the supervision of her father Jamie Spears.