Lithium for Bipolar Treatment

Because bipolar mood disorder is incurable, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder must focus on treating its symptoms and working to keep debilitating mood swings in check.

The general plan of action for bipolar disorder is to combine medications with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Usually these bring about positive results. One medication that is commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder is lithium.

History

• According to PsychEducation.org, the chemical element lithium was discovered in 1817. During the mid-1800s, it was found that a lithium carbonate solution could dissolve urate stones. It was also during that period that scientists were speculating that many diseases, including mania and depression, were related to "urate imbalances."

  In the later 1800s, lithium was used to treat both mania and depression, but the dangers of lithium overdose also became apparent, slowing the progress of lithium use.

  In the 1940's, Australian psychiatrist John Cade began using lithium to treat patients with mania, but it took many years before the use of lithium for treating bipolar disorder caught on. In 1970, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lithium for the treatment of mania. Today lithium is commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder as a mood stabilizer.

How Lithium Works

• While the exact nature of how lithium works is unclear, research performed at Cardiff University in Britain shows that lithium affects a molecule that is essential in controlling the signals that brain cells send. This molecule, PIP3, makes a simple sugar called inositol. Lithium suppresses the production of inositol by inhibiting the inositol monophosphatase enzyme, called IMPase. The research also shows that higher levels of IMPA2, a gene for a variant of IMPase, is linked to bipolar disorder and that lithium can counteract the variant gene.

Effects of Lithium

• Among bipolar medications, lithium is one of the best researched and most often used. It has been shown to reduce the severity of mania, and to help control depression. With lithium, many patients also note better impulse control and a decrease in anger and angry reactions. Lithium can also help control suicidal thoughts in people with bipolar mood disorder.

Side Effects of Lithium

• According to MedicineNet.com, if you use lithium for bipolar treatment, you should be aware of potential side effects that can include weight gain, dry mouth, hand tremors, increased thirst, increased urination, decreased libido, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, goiter, vision problems, muscle weakness, confusion, seizures, unsteady gait, slurred speech and coma.

  Some side effects are only troublesome, but should be discussed with your doctor. Others, such as confusion, goiter, seizures, weakness, slurred speech and unsteady gait, should be addressed immediately.

Alternatives to Lithium

• Lithium is not your only choice for mood stabilizing bipolar medications. If lithium causes too many side effects or doesn't work well for you, your doctor can help you change to another mood stabilizer, such as a valproate medication, to help stabilize your moods.