The Efficacy of Lithium in Treating Bipolar Disorder Essay -- Treatmen

The Efficacy of Lithium in Treating Bipolar Disorder Lithium is a psychotropic drug that became available in 1970 as a mood stabilizing medication for the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. It has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of manic states, as well as the depression that is concomitant with bipolar disorder. Much research has been done in the short duration of lithium's employment to evaluate its efficacy and side effects. As stated above, "Lithium stabilizes the mood of a bipolar patient, preventing a relapse into either mania or depression" (Kalat, 2004, p.472). Bipolar disorder (also known as manic- depressive illness), is characterized by the presence of the following symptoms: motor hyperactivity, flight of ideas, elation, a diminished need for sleep, grandiosity, poor judgment, aggressiveness, and possible hostility (FDA, 2005, 4). Manic-depressives are recognized by their constant mood swings, wherein they may be overly euphoric, subsequently becoming rapidly irritable, sad, or hopeless. A person is experiencing a depressive episode if five or more of the following symptoms are experienced for most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks: difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in sex or formerly enjoyed activities, a lasting empty mood, decreased energy, difficulty making decisions, chronic pain that is not caused by physical injury, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide (MedicineNet, 2005, 3). A manic episode is diagnosed if a person displays three or more the following symptoms for most of the day, every day, for one week or more: increased energy and restlessness, extreme irritability, distractibility, unrealistic beliefs i... ... Increased Lethargy Somnolence Weakness Confusion, drowsiness Gross confusion Unsteady balance Gross ataxia Profound loss of balance Nausea Vomiting Urinary incontinence Decreased Slurred speech Random muscle twitching concentration Worsening hand Muscle twitching Coma tremor Diarrhea Note. From Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder (p.48), by Monica Ramirez Basco and A. John Rush, 1996, New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Conclusion At this point in time, it is not known exactly how lithium alleviates the symptomatology of bipolar disorder, only that it is highly effective and will be continue to be one of the primary treatments in alleviating bipolar disorder until new remedies are discovered.