Lithium for Bipolar Disorder: All You Need to Know

Bipolar disorder affects about 1 in 40 American adults, and about 1% of teenagers live with it. Despite how common it is, there is still no cure, although several treatments, including medication, can help to manage the condition.

While many think bipolar disorder has two sides, recent advancement in research suggests it's actually more of a mood spectrum, with depression at one end, and mania at the end. Lithium is one medication that has proven to be very effective in treating mania in bipolar disorder. For many, it is a go-to drug for treatment-resistant BD.

Lithium is widely used to reduce the frequency and severity of manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It may also reduce the risk of dementia in patients with bipolar as well as scale down suicidal ideation.

But how and why is a monovalent cation so effective in a mental health issue like this?

Why is lithium effective in treating bipolar disorder?

Lithium works as a mood stabilizer. However, the mechanism of action of lithium in bipolar disorder is not yet fully understood.

Lithium is believed to work for bipolar disorder by modulating the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine, and by altering intracellular signaling pathways.

One theory is that lithium may help stabilize mood by decreasing neurons' sensitivity to certain neurotransmitters associated with mania, such as dopamine. Consequently, the patient will be less excited, agitated, and hyperactive. It may also increase the level of serotonin to quell depression. This goes with the chemical imbalance theory that a lack of serotonin may cause depression.

Additionally, lithium may help protect the brain by preventing neurodegeneration that's associated with bipolar disorder.

Furthermore, studies show that the prefrontal cortex of patients on lithium may not shrink as much as that of someone else who has suffered mania throughout life. Given that shrinking of the brain is associated with a higher risk of dementia, this is likely why lithium is effective in reducing the risk of dementia as you get older.

In general, lithium is thought to be effective in treating bipolar disorder because of its ability to regulate neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) and signaling pathways, as well as its neuroprotective effects.

Is lithium the best treatment for bipolar disorder?

Lithium is the gold standard for treating mania in bipolar disorder and is a major treatment option for preventing the recurrence of manic and depressive episodes. It also remains one of the most widely used medications for treating bipolar disorder.

Can we say lithium is the best treatment for bipolar? Well, not exactly, as what works for patient A might not be the best for patient B. It all boils down to several factors.

But to a large extent and given the myriad of evidence and studies, lithium has proven to be a miracle in the study of mental health and bipolar disorder in particular.

What's the disadvantage of lithium in treating bipolar disorder?

Most people use lithium for years without any issues. However, some people experience adverse effects with the drug, such as blurred vision, kidney problems, and thyroid issues after long term use.

You may drastically reduce the risks of side effects by using lithium in very little amounts, considered subtherapeutic doses (anything below 0.6 mmol/L that still does the job).

If you're on lithium medication, you need to regularly check your blood lithium levels to prevent lithium toxicity (too much lithium in the blood), which can be a precursor to the adverse side effects.

Need help? We're here for you

At Hope Mental Health, we are more than happy to evaluate your personal situation to determine the best course of treatment. We take great care to ensure you get nothing but the best treatment for bipolar disorder while giving you peace of mind. Your safety and overall well-being are our top priority. Come, let's talk!

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.