Lithium Essays -- Chemistry Medical Chemical Papers

LithiumThough the drug lithium is used for a come in of dis tack togethers ranging from acute notion to eating and personality disorders (Paykel, 1992), its primary use is for bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Patients with bipolar disorder amidst two poles depression and its opposite, mania (Kalat,2004), often with periods of normal behavior in between (Jamison,1993). In addition, the patient is also prone to mixed episodes in which symptoms of both mania and depression are present. Intensity of these episodes can race from mild to dangerous, as in the case of a manic depressive get under ones skin who severed the arms of her 10 month old daughter (Associated Press, 2005). patronage its genetic origin (Kalat. 2004 Jamison, 1993 DBSA, 2005), the onset of symptoms and behavior is rather late, averaging 18 age of age (Jamison, 1993).There are two types of manic episodes manic and hypomanic. The DSM describes a manic episode as a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irrit adapted mood, (Jamison, 1993). Symptoms include inflated self esteem, a reduced need for sleep, increased talkativeness and sociability, flight of ideas, distractibility, an increase in goal directed activities (such as work, school or sex), and an excessive stake in pleasurable activities (PsychologyNet, 2003). The occurrence of these symptoms essential not be able be confused with a mixed state (see description below), must impair the individuals ability to function normally, and cannot be explained by the effects of a substance (i.e. alcohol, hallucinogenics) or a medical condition (i.e. hyperthyroidism) in order for the episode to be considered manic.... ... The Icarus Project. Retrieved February 28, 2005 from the World Wide Web http//theicarusproject.net/community/viewtopic.php?t=1187CONCLUSIONLithium, or, more commonly, Lithium Salt, is an element used to treat bipolar disorder in humans. Bipolar disorder consists of severe highs and lows of mood, ranging from deep depression to extreme mania. The cycling of the disorder depends on the person, but it can take leave from many shifts within one day (rapid cycling) to extended periods of each. Lithium is indicated in general for patients who are not rapid cycling. Like many other medications, the fine effects of Lithium are unknown. Psychiatrists and Chemists have isolated many of the physiologic and behavioral changes that occur after the administration of Lithium, and yet the exact event of its therapeutic effect is not fully understood.