Lithium And Its Effects On Bipolar Disorder

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

People living with bipolar disorder need medication to help them function at their full potential. Some people feel that people living with bipolar disorder do not need to be medicated to live a healthy fulfilling life. However to say this first a person must know what bipolar disorder is and how a person is affected by the disorder. According to Rachal Pollock PHD bipolar is described as a common recurrent, often lifelong major psychiatric disorder characterized by manic/ mixed and depressive episodes. According to her if the person does not have treatment for the disorder then the risk grows substantially in regards to morbidity and mortality. I know firsthand how it is to live on

(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

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).

This source gives the readers an in-depth overview of Bipolar Disorder and the causes of having the mental health issue. There’s a great distinction between the ups and downs people experience and bipolar disorder. Due to the ups and downs teens and children experience, bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose during those early years. The National Center of Biotechnology Information’s research program is run by Senior Investigators, Tenure Track Investigators, Staff Scientists, and Postdoctoral Fellows which makes the source credible. The source contained

There was one time that bipolar patients were treated with lithium. According to Whitaker, Guy Goodwin, a Scottish psychiatrist concluded “… if patients were exposed to lithium and then quit taking it within the first two years, the risk of relapse was so great that the drug

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 most striking impact was found for the hospitalization rate, which fell by 82 per cent (3). This has considerable economic significance, as hospitalization accounts for a major proportion of direct costs in major psychiatric illness. It is important to note that all of this evidence far exceeds the available support for possible alternatives to lithium treatment, including application of anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, or sedative agents. Still, investigators have yet to discover the pharmacological effects of lithium that are responsible for its ability to eliminate mania. Many posit that the drug stabilizes the population of certain classes of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain (particularly serotonin receptors), preventing wide shifts in neural sensitivity, and in turn, influencing mood (4).

Though the symptoms of bipolar disorder are serious and it lacks a cure, there are many treatment options that can drastically include the quality of life of patients. There are numerous medications that can be prescribed to limit the severity of manic and depressive episodes. These medications help regulate the moods of patients, and they can even prevent severe mood episodes altogether. However, the side effects that come with these medications can be difficult to manage. Sometimes, these side effects are as minor as excessive drooling, but they can also cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, sleepiness, and insomnia. In the most severe cases, however, some medications can cause organ failure and death. That is why it is important for patients

Lithium Carbonate is also known as Lithobid or also Eskalith. When taking Lithium, it alters the sodium transport nerve and muscle cells. The alterations of the sodium transport in the two areas can cause the intraneuronal metabolism of catecholamines. When taking any medication,

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.