Bipolar Disorder and Lithium Treatments

"There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn't."―John Green

In my opinion mental health is more vital to one's success more than one's physical health(though the latter should also NEVER be ignored). I mean, Stephen Hawking was completely paralyzed yet he was one of the most intelligent scientists on Earth.That is why understanding brain disorders and finding treatments for them is very important. 

One common disorder is Bipolar Disorder, a mental condition in which the person's mood fluctuates between episodes of mania,a period of emotional highs, and depression. 

There are three types of Bipolar disorder depending on the episodes and the number of days the episodes occured. The first type is Bipolar 1 which is the most severe type where the patient experiences mania for more than 7 days followed by depressive episodes. Bipolar 2 is a less severe cycle between depression and hypomania(a less severe form of mania). The last and most mild form of Bipolar is Cyclothymia a cycle between depression and hypomania that happens over the course of 2 years.

Lithium Drugs are old but effective ways of reducing the symptoms of Bipolar disorder. Studies show that Lithium can significantly reduce suicide risks and alleviate the severity of the episodes.The doses of lithium drugs vary among individuals. Patients are normally treated with more than one drug but some depend on lithium alone.

Most patients experience minor side effects of lithium including:

·       Increased thirst

·       Increased urination

·       Weight gain

·       Impaired memory

·       Poor concentration

·       Drowsiness

So, why does Lithium work particularly well?

The reason is unknown and debatable, but there are two hypotheses.

1. Lithium competes with magnesium ions for binding sites on specific proteins in the body. For example, lithium ions can bind to the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), which regulates a number of cell functions including neurotransmission.

2.Lithium ions can compete with sodium ions for sodium-binding sites in signal transducing proteins, such as neurotransmitter transporters and G-protein coupled receptor.