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

The Efficacy of Lithium in Treating bipolar deflect 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 phrenetic states, as well as the depression that is concomitant with bipolar disorder. Much research has been d whiz in the short duration of lithiums employment to evaluate its efficacy and side effects.As stated above, Lithium stabilizes the mood of a bipolar patient, preventing a relapsing into either mania or depression (Kalat, 2004, p.472). Bipolar disorder (also know as manic-depressive illness), is characterized by the presence of the pursuance 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 accepted by their constant mood swings, wherein they may be overly euphoric, subsequently be coming rapidly irritable, sad, or hopeless. A person is experiencing a depressive sequence if five or more of the following symptoms are experienced for about of the day, every day, for at least two weeks difficulty concentrating, loss of provoke in sex or formerly enjoyed activities, a lasting put down 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 change magnitude energy and restlessness, extreme irritability, distractibility, unrealistic beliefs i... ... Increased Lethargy SomnolenceWeakness Confusion, somnolence Gross confusionUnsteady balance Gross ataxia gruelling loss of balanceNausea Vomiting Urinary incont inence lessen Slurred speech Random muscle twitchingconcentration deterioration hand Muscle twitching ComatremorDiarrheaNote. From Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder (p.48), by Monica Ramirez Basco and A. John Rush, 1996, New York, NY The Guilford Press. ConclusionAt this check in time, it is not known exactly how lithium alleviates the symptomatology of bipolar disorder, unaccompanied 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.