I totally agree with both Luis and Mariolis. Because of the irreversible damage to the nervous system caused by lithium poisoning, physicians who have patients under this treatment should be aware of the potential for lithium toxicity. Especially in those patients with renal dysfunction, acute gastroenteritis or other diseases that lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The elderly patients are most at risk for all of this process that contributes to decreasing lithium clearance. For that reason should be more closely monitored.1 Even in patients with stable lithium doses, toxicity should not be ruled out if they start using other drugs such as NSAIDs or ACE inhibitors.2 Given their use in the treatment of bipolar and unipolar depression,
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
Diagnostic Features: The essential feature of Bipolar II Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Major Depressive Episodes (Criterion A) accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode (Criterion B) Hypomanic Episodes should not be confused with the several days of euthymia that may follow remission of a Major Depressive Episode. The presence of a Manic or Mixed Episode precludes the diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder (Criterion C).
Along with there being a large variety of psychological disorders, there are also a large variety of reasons as to why an individual might develop a psychological disorder. For Nic, there are several different components that could have contributed to the development of both his bipolar disorder and for his substance abuse disorder. The components for both disorders fall under genetic or familial components and social or stressful events. For bipolar disorder, there is believed to be a genetic component that can be passed down throughout familial generations. Though it is not specifically stated, it is possible the either Nic’s mother or father had a psychological condition that could have led to Nic developing bipolar disorder. In the case
Antipsychotic drugs such lithium is one that is commonly prescribed to help reduce anger, threatening behavior, outbursts, and combativeness in ASPD. It alters sodium transport and inhibits neuronal signaling that dials down the activity of hyperactive circuits involved in producing mania (Vallerand, Sanoski, & Deglin, 2017). Lithium dosage is PO in tablets or capsules at 300-600mg TID for adults but precise dosing is based on serum lithium levels. Side effects include polyuria, polydipsia, diarrhea, mild ataxia, leukocytosis, renal toxicity, drowsiness, and weight gain.
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).
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
Bipolar disorder (BD) or manic depression is a mental disorder that affects roughly 1-2% of the population. It is marked by severe mood swings between depression and mania, periods of great delusions and overactivity. It is often treated with mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants, and sometimes benzodiazepines. Of the medications, lithium and lamotrigine are two medications of interest due to their long history of treatment. In the following, we will explore the effects of lithium and lamotrigine (LTG) on pregnant bipolar women.
Bipolar confusion (otherwise called hyper gloom) is a conclusion given to the individuals who encounter sweeping mood swings going from depressive lows to hyper highs. It's a condition that can have a range of consequences for your life, including irritability, psychosis, sadness, low energy, low motivation, or loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. “In addition to these more general symptoms, however, bipolar disorder can also affect your sex life, leading to a drastically increased libido during periods of mania.” Some who encounter this increased sexuality may get a determination of hypersexuality, or "sex habit." This is a finding that still conveys a great deal of contention inside the fields of both brain research and sexuality.
Lithium is generally well absorbed, with a bioavailability that nears 100%. It has a reasonable volume of distribution of approximately 1 L/kg and half-life of roughly24 hours. Maintained-release formulations can reduce peak serum concentrations and commonly have clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions with lithium (Su, Ryder, Li, Wu, Fox, and Solenberg 2004).
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 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
3. One of the difficulties with the use of lithium to treat bipolar disorder is that patients often stop taking the medication. Discuss three (3) reasons a person who is experiencing bipolar disorder would stop taking this highly effective medication, and what a therapist might do to improve treatment compliance.278
Yet, despite its recognized benefits, Clozapine’s has been limited to ‘treatment-resistant’ patients due to the potentially ‘life-threatening’ through to the relatively benign ‘side-effects’ i.e. agranulocytosis (a potentially fatal blood disorder), seizures, hypotension, tachycardia, weight gain, constipation and many others. Its under-utilization is partly attributed to a lack of management/experience, but these ‘side-effects’ can be identified early and greatly reduced through carefully monitored dose adjustments (Gardner et al. 2005).
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.
I agree with the quote that “Wars between states can be explained by the distribution of power and capabilities in the international system.” Power distribution among all the great powers plays an important role for the stability and economy of the state. I believe that war determines who will govern the international system, and whose interests will be primarily served by the new international order.