Depression: Lithium as a Treatment

Depression is a potentially serious condition that causes normal sadness to last long-term, resulting in changes in the appetite, weight loss or gain, lack of interest in activities that were previously interesting, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, and sometimes thoughts of suicide or even suicide attempts. Depression is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication, and in cases in which a person is threatening or has attempted suicide, in-patient treatment in a hospital for the person's protection is often necessary. In some cases of depression, doctors may prescribe the medication lithium, which can successfully treat both major and bipolar depression. If your doctor has proposed to treat your depression with lithium, there are some things about this medication that you may want to be aware of prior to agreeing to treatment.

Prevalence of lithium in the treatment of depression - lithium is not usually prescribed for major depression, and has historically been an exclusive treatment for mania in some individuals with bipolar depression, previously called manic depression. Despite this fact, lithium is also a viable treatment for those without the mania that often accompanies bipolar depression, as this medication can also improve depressed moods as well.

Pros and cons of lithium for depression - there are always pros and cons of taking any medication, and lithium is no exception. Some pros are the fact that lithium can provide quicker and more thorough relief than similar antidepressant medications, and it can work when other medications fail. Some cons are that lithium can interact with a full list of other medications, so you must take special precautions when taking other medications, even over-the-counter drugs. Lithium has also been known to cause toxicity and symptoms need to be watched closely to ensure that you aren't experiencing lithium toxicity.

Potential side effects - As with every medication, there is the potential for side effects. How serious they are depends on the person receiving the treatment. The possible side effects of lithium are: increased urination, sedation, increases thirst, itching skin, nauseas, vomiting and thinning or drying hair. More serious side effects include kidney or thyroid disease, hallucinations, blackouts, fever, muscle stiffness and slow heart rate, and if you experience any of the more serious side effects, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Benefits of lithium - If you're considering therapy with lithium whether you suffer from bipolar depression or major depression, while most traditional antidepressants usually take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to start working, lithium usually starts working in half the time, bringing relief a lot sooner.

References

Cleveland Clinic Depression Page - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Depression/hic_Depression.aspx

Mayo Clinic Depression & Lithium Page - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lithium-medication/MY00639

CNN Health Report - Lithium & Depression - http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/expert.q.a/06/15/lithium.depression.raison/index.html