My mother was a pharmacist. She surrendered her career to bring me into the world. I sat Chemistry O Level twice and distinguished myself with an unclassified grade twice. I just don’t get it. If my mother perceives me as a major disappointment she never says so, bless her.
Now I’ve always been a huge fan of the Bill Bryson travel books. I was surprised when he published a science based book called “A Short History of Nearly Everything” but I had no hesitation in buying it. What a revelation, a journalist from the American Mid West did something that my formally qualified Chemistry teacher couldn’t. He taught me something…
For reasons that have nothing to do with mental health Mr. Bryson turns his spotlight on Lithium. It would appear that not all the elements in the periodic table were created during the Big Bang which founded our universe. Others emerged during subsequent galactic events. Lithium though, the gold standard mood stabilising medication, is as old as time itself. To my mind this suggests one of two things. Either, it is a reminder that there are simple solutions to very complex problems. Or, my preferred option, a reminder that a supplier has little incentive to invest in meaningful research and development if its current outdated product is still flying off the shelves.
The next interesting point about Lithium is that it is the third element in the periodic table. It has a mere three protons, three neutrons and three electrons concealed within the atom (I’m more than satisfied that they are concealed as I’ve had a good look in the Priadel packet and I can’t spot them). I’m wading out of my depth here but I understand this means that Lithium atoms are the third lightest / smallest of them all. This is of significance as smaller atoms have more chance of wandering through molecular barriers.
My question is this: Is the administration of lithium the neurological equivalent of throwing sand in an engine?
My final concern is to do with the fact that Lithium is in the same “salts” family as sodium and potassium. Now it’s a long time since I snoozed through a physiology lesson (if I was wading previously, I am now treading water in a strong current) but I seem to recall that sodium and potassium ions change polarity in the process which enables a nerve impulse to go about its business. What impact does lithium have on this and where? Remember, I think I’m right in saying that there is no significant difference between a brain cell and a cell in, for example, your femoral nerve. Most psychiatric medications target neurotransmitters (possibly a little presumptuously as I don’t think neuroscience has yet ascertained how many different neurotransmitters there actually are) which I compare to cars on a neural highway.
Am I right in suspecting that the administration of lithium causes some congestion on the highway itself?
A whole lot of conjecture there. I’m hoping that those within the Mental readership who have been nominated for the Nobel Science Prizes can help me out a bit.
Funnily enough, I have had lessons on Mood disorders and psychopharmacology this week.
2 things
1. nothing is absolute in mental health
and
2. How does lithium work – we don’t know.
Good eh?!
Funnily enough I have a mood disorder.
I only have one question, cos after 2 years feasting on Priadel I’m getting very sceptical.
1. Does Lithium work?
I guess that would depend on what you mean by “work”.
Sorry bipolarmo, I should have fielded this but I`m having a little technical difficulty ( actually when it comes to computing my life is one immense technical difficulty ).
As you can see from the limited number of comments, nurses aren`t too keen on sticking their heads over the neuro – biochemical parapet. This site, as you will have noticed, takes rather an anti – psychiatry stance and I have to say I`m not an admirer of lithium. That`s easy for me to say though and I have to admit I`ve no constructive suggestions to make in terms of an alternative.
Having said that I`ve known people who think that lithium works for them. Recently I`ve nursed patients who have been on it for some time who have been taken off it as their Consultants have concerns about the long term accumulatory side effects. It`s fair to say that these patients have been very upset by the Consultant`s decision and given a choice would have continued to take it.
It`s a bit of a cop out just directing the ball back into your court. I would recommend that you read as much as you can on the subject ( have you tried the Manic Depressive Fellowship ) and then return to your Consultant and tell them about your “scepticism”.
Hope this helps. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Hey, thanks for your comments. Sorry if I detracted from your article, I didn’t mean to intrude. I just sort of got engrossed in reading and next thing I knew I’d posted a comment. I’d forgotten about where Lithium sat in the periodic table, it’s been a long time since O’level chemistry. Have put Bryson’s book on my Christmas list.
Cheers
Mo