Tags: Does Lithium Help

4 FAQs about Why does lithium help bipolar

Is lithium a mood stabilizer?

Lithium is a mood stabilizer used for long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder. Mood stabilizers are usually a first-line therapy for bipolar disorder. That means they're the first drugs used for treatment. Lithium treats the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder, which is the more severe of the two types of this disorder.

Can lithium treat bipolar disorder?

Almost 50 years after lithium was first approved to treat patients in the US, scientists think they've finally identified the molecular mechanism behind its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This is a huge deal.

Can lithium monotherapy treat bipolar disorder in children and adolescence?

Lithium represents the gold standard for the treatment of adult with bipolar disorder, but its role in treating bipolar disorder in childhood or adolescence is still debated. Amerio et al. concluded that lithium monotherapy is safe and effective for acute mania and for the prevention of affective episodes in children and adolescents.

How much lithium should I take for bipolar disorder?

The dose of lithium varies among individuals and as phases of their illness change. Although bipolar disorder is often treated with more than one drug, some people can control their condition with lithium alone. About 75% of people who take lithium for bipolar disorder have some side effects, although they may be minor.

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