These are accomplishments for Lockwood, a bipolar sufferer who got fired from 22 jobs in four years because of his erratic behavior.
Diagnosed at age 14, Lockwood often quit taking the lithium medication that controlled his crashing moods. "If I felt good, I didn't take my medication," he said.
For the past year, Lockwood has been in a study of the drug valproate, a possible substitute for lithium, led by Charles L. Bowden, MD, professor of psychiatry. Lockwood says he has never felt better. He cannot be sure he is taking valproate. Some patients receive a placebo drug. "I'm sure I am getting the drug because I feel great in comparison to what I felt before," he said.
Before valproate, Lockwood lost job after job in a moody haze. He has been a maintenance worker, telephone operator, janitor, waiter, food preparer and bartender's helper. His longest job lasted a year; his shortest, a week.
Bright and articulate, Lockwood had little problem getting a new job. "Blue suits help if you go out for a job," he said. "Blue is a good color. Dress nicely, then just go in and get the job."
