Lithium has been the cornerstone of bipolar I disorder treatment since the 1970s, often described as the "magic bullet" that can eradicate symptoms. Prior to lithium, patients typically endured numerous and prolonged episodes of mania and depression, sometimes referred to as manic-depressive psychosis, with episodes lasting an average of six and a half months. Studies showed that without treatment, the majority of individuals experienced multiple episodes, which dramatically affected their quality of life. Modern understanding still aligns with earlier findings regarding the age of onset and frequency of episodes.
For many people who have bipolar I, lithium is that most elusive of pharmacological treatments, the "magic bullet"-a single intervention that completely eliminates the symptoms of a disease.
Modern studies have confirmed what earlier studies showed, that bipolar I disorder usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood, with the peak onset during the third decade of life.
In a 1942 study, […] about one-third had two to three episodes, about one-third had four to six episodes, and about one-third had more than seven. A few had 20 or more episodes.
Before lithium, repeated episodes of mania and depression, sometimes lasting years, were the rule.
#bipolar-disorder #lithium-treatment #mental-health #pharmacological-intervention #historical-context
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