Full Answer
Why is lithium called a mood stabilizer?
The antidepressant medication lithium is also referred to as a mood stabilizer because it helps to prevent manic episodes. One of the problems encountered by psychiatrists who prescribe medication for patients with bipolar disorder is that patients often
Is lithium effective as a maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder?
Lithium for maintenance treatment of mood disorders This systematic review indicates that lithium is an efficacious maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder. In unipolar disorder the evidence of efficacy is less robust.
What are the side effects of lithium?
The side effects of lithium are less serious than those of other antidepressants. All of the following are side effects of lithium therapy EXCEPT weight loss A goal of treatment for patients who have experienced major depressive disorders is delaying or preventing the next episode.
When can I stop taking lithium therapy?
All of the following statements about lithium therapy are true EXCEPT once a person is symptom-free for 6 months, he/she may stop taking lithium. A relative of yours has been diagnosed with bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. Your family is impressed when you mention that the preferred drug for this condition is lithium
Which of the following are disadvantages of the tricyclic antidepressant class of drugs?
Some tricyclic antidepressants are more likely to cause side effects that affect safety, such as:Disorientation or confusion, particularly in older people when the dosage is too high.Increased or irregular heart rate.More-frequent seizures in people who have seizures.
Which of the following are manifestations of lithium toxicity select all that apply )?
Acute and Chronic Toxicity Early signs of lithium toxicity include diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscular weakness, tremors, and lack of coordination. More severe symptoms include confusion, agitation, giddiness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), blurred vision, and a large output of dilute urine.
What are the complications of bipolar disorder?
What are the complications of bipolar disorder?substance abuse (for example, alcohol or drugs)anxiety.heart and cardiovascular conditions.diabetes.unhealthy weight (such as obesity)suicidal thoughts.
Which drug is most likely to be prescribed for a patient suffering from a mood disorder?
Anticonvulsant drugs stabilize your mood chemically. Depakene, Depakote, Lamictal and Stavor are most commonly prescribed in this class. Saphris can be helpful in treating mixed episodes where you are experiencing a variety of symptoms.
What are common side effects of lithium?
The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth. Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood.
What are the long term side effects of taking lithium?
The most concerning side effects of long term lithium use are hypothyroidism and kidney problems. According to a 2015 review article , these side effects are most likely to affect women below the age of 60 years. They are also more common among people with higher-than-average concentrations of lithium in the blood.
What is the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder?
The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Most people take more than one drug, like a mood-stabilizing drug and an antipsychotic or antidepressant.
What are safety considerations for bipolar disorder?
Safety Tips for Bipolar Depression Put yourself on a strict schedule for healthy eating and sleeping – even though you likely won't feel like it. Give the bulk of you medication away to a friend so you don't feel tempted to overdose. Don't make big decisions, if at all possible.
What type of therapy is best for bipolar disorder?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves trying to change your patterns of thinking, is effective for bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychological Association.
What is the best treatment for mood disorders?
Mood disorders can often be treated with success. Treatment may include: Antidepressant and mood stabilizing medicines—especially when combined with psychotherapy have shown to work very well in the treatment of depression. Psychotherapy—most often cognitive-behavioral and/or interpersonal therapy.
Is lithium a mood stabilizer?
It is not known how lithium works to stabilize a person's mood. However, it does act on the central nervous system. It helps you to have more control over your emotions and helps you cope better with the problems of living. It is important that you and your family understand all the effects of this medicine.
Is lithium used to treat bipolar disorder?
Lithium has been and continues to be the mainstay of bipolar disorder (BD) pharmacotherapy for acute mood episodes, switch prevention, prophylactic treatment, and suicide prevention.
How do you get lithium toxicity?
The chronic form of lithium toxicity can occur when you take lithium daily but your serum blood level has crept up into the toxic range. 1 Possible causes for this level increase are a dosage increase, being dehydrated, interactions with other medications, and problems with kidney function.
Which of the following is an appropriate diet to a patient who is taking lithium?
There are no specific dietary requirements while taking Lithium. Generally you can eat what you like. However Lithium requires consistent monitoring to ensure you maintain the right balance of lithium in the blood to avoid the dangerous condition of lithium toxicity.
What are therapeutic lithium levels?
The reference range for therapeutic levels of lithium is 0.8-1.2 mEq/L.
What orders would you expect as part of the care plan before she gets started on the lithium?
Before starting lithium obtain baseline complete blood cell counts with differential (CBC with diff); urinalysis; blood urea nitrogen; creatinine; serum calcium levels; thyroid function tests; and pregnancy test for females of childbearing age. Monitor for lithium toxicity at every visit.
Why do people stop taking lithium?
Patients often stop taking their lithium, even though it is effective in stabilizing their moods, because they. miss the euphoric feelings that mania produces. The antidepressant medication lithium is also referred to as a mood stabilizer because it. helps to prevent manic episodes.
What is the probability that one twin will have a mood disorder?
In research looking at the biological causes of mood disorders, studies have shown that if one of a set of twins has a mood disorder, the probability that the other twin will have a mood disorder is. 66%.
What is Aaron Beck's depressive cognitive triad?
In Aaron Beck's depressive cognitive triad, individuals think negatively about all of the following. EXCEPT. their past. According to recent research on the development of depression, dysfunctional attitudes (a negative outlook) and hopelessness attributes (explaining things negatively) constitute a.
What are the physical symptoms of a major depressive disorder?
The physical or somatic symptoms of a major depressive disorder include. changes in appetite or weight. One of the symptoms of a mood disorder is called anhedonia, which means. an inability to experience pleasure. Mood disorders can range from mild to severe; the most severe type of depression is called.
Why did Cynthia stop taking the medication?
stop taking the medication in order to bring on a manic state. At various times, Cynthia, a 20 year-old college student, has been considered by her family and/or friends to be moody, high-strung, explosive, or hyperactive. Knowing the criteria for mood disorders you would diagnose Cynthia with: cyclothymia.
What is diathesis stress?
In the diathesis-stress model, "diathesis" refers to: an inherited disorder. conditions in the environment that can trigger a disorder depending upon how severe the stressors are. an inherited tendency or condition that makes a person susceptible to developing a disorder. the inheritance of multiple disorders.
Does mood affect depression?
an individual's current mood state might distort earlier memories of stressful life events that precipitated the depression. stressful life events are strongly related to the onset of mood disorders. recurrent episodes of depression, but not initial episodes, are strongly predicted by major life stress.