Abstract. Developing What Are The Therapeutic Levels Of

There is more to the treatment of bipolar disorder than medication, but the medication Lithium has been the primary treatment since the 1960’s. In four studies

Medication is the first line of defense in treating bipolar disorder. Traditionally, lithium was the drug of choice for bipolar patients. Though lithium is still used

Kimberly has been taking 1200 mg a day. Kimberly is currently in Pre-trial Diversion to eventually get back in college. Not only is it important for Kimberly to be drug free, but she has to be stabilized by using medication and learning effective coping skills. When a client experiences side effects, one may find oneself neglecting to take the drug (Ingersoll & Rak, 2016). Kimberly stated that she had not been feeling like herself when taking lithium. Kimberly has been feeling sick to the stomach when taking lithium. Although Kimberly was taking lithium on a regular basis again, she has experienced dry mouth and fatigue (McIntyre, 2015).

(392) Before answering the question let’s figure out what lithium is. We know it is a drug to treat bipolar disorders, but it is a silvery white element found throughout the world in various simple mineral salts (Comer, 2013, pp.280). Individuals who take lithium suffer from bipolar disorders

Bipolar disorder has been gaining more and more attention over the last few years. With shootings on the rise, or at least the publicity of them, people are often pointing their fingers at mental diseases including bipolar disorder. An ongoing issue regarding mental illnesses, however, is the population has failed to fully understand what they truly are, the symptoms, and how to treat them.

The association between Wnt and bipolar disorder has recently been supported by biological evidence that increasing the levels of GSk-3β reverses the effects of lithium in the body. This is a direct explanation of how lithium and other drugs are effective in the treatment of bipolar patients.

516). Many experts criticized Cade’s research because of the deaths caused by the negative effects of lithium. To clear up this belief, Cade tested the lithium on himself - which came out to be safe. The next approach was to conduct a study on humans with mania, melancholia, and schizophrenia. “The effect on the patients with mania was dramatic: the first patient to be given lithium had long been the most troublesome on the ward,but he settled down within three weeks and was able to leave hospital 12 weeks later” (Mitchell & Hadzi-Pavlovic, 2000, pg. 516). The substance had no effect on melancholic and schizophrenic individuals. The study became more accepted when Schou and his co-worker Poul Christian Baastrup administered a study to establish that lithium carbonate was safe and effective on bipolar individuals. Lithium was eventually approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1970 as an antimanic drug for bipolar disorder. “Lithium was the first specific psychotropic medication,predating the neuroleptics by several years and the antidepressants by almost a decade” (Mitchell & Hadzi-Pavlovic, 2000,

Lithium in the Treatment of Bipolar I Disorder, including Parameters and Strength of Evidence Supporting Treatment.

(2000) explained that the prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder is between 2.6% and 6.5%, which can be compared to the prevalence of drug abuse which is 4.4%. Bipolar can be classified as a spectrum disorder because it forms an umbrella for bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. Unfortunately, bipolar spectrum disorders often go undiagnosed and therefore untreated. With that, Hirschfelt et all (2000), emphasizes the importance of recognizing this disorder. With recognition, these individuals can seek intervention for this disorder and decrease its symptoms and its progression. One way to diagnose this disorder is to screen for it by performing a mood disorder questionnaire. The researchers created a one-page, self-report, paper-and-pencil inventory that can be easily evaluated and administered. The questions were derived from the DSM-IV criteria at the time, but have been updated to the newest version’s clinical

1980). It is not clear why this is, as there does not appear to be

There are not nearly as many treatments for bipolar disorder. In fact, there is only one treatment that seems to have lasting effects. This treatment uses therapy with a professional coupled with medications. “Antibipolar drugs, also called mood stabilizers, help steady the mood of those with a bipolar disorder” (Chapter 2, 2009). The advances in treatment are due to the discovery of lithium as a medication. This drug works extremely well to eliminate manic episodes and even help with the depression. The drugs

Lithium is a top choice for acute mania and for maintenance in ‘classic’ bipolar disorder. Because of its narrow therapeutic range, blood levels must be monitored; also heart and kidney function (EKG, blood and urine tests). Medications such as diuretics, that block its excretion require caution.

Numerous sustenance and wellbeing specialists trust that every day utilization of up to 2 mgs of lithium might be vital for various vital cell collaborations. At those levels, lithium appears to convey no danger of symptoms, and a few noteworthy reviews in the 1970s propose that there might be some vital advantages.