Table of Contents
Does bipolar medication shorten your life?
The average reduction in life expectancy in people with bipolar disorder is between nine and 20 years, while it is 10 to 20 years for schizophrenia, between nine and 24 years for drug and alcohol abuse, and around seven to 11 years for recurrent depression.
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….Thyroid problems
- depression.
- dry skin.
- fatigue.
- intolerance to cold.
- trouble thinking quickly.
- weight gain.
How does lithium affect bipolar?
Lithium helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania. It may also help relieve or prevent bipolar depression. Studies show that lithium can significantly reduce suicide risk. Lithium also helps prevent future manic and depressive episodes. As a result, it may be prescribed for long periods of time (even between episodes) as maintenance therapy.
What are the side effects of lithium?
Increased urination
Can lithium help treat depression?
Lithium isn’t used in cases of standard depression because it doesn’t generally have antidepressant properties as a standalone treatment. It is a mood stabilizer, and thus is heavily utilized to help keep people stable. In cases of bipolar disorder, this treatment is extremely beneficial for preventing manic mood swings.
How much lithium for bipolar?
It can take several weeks for lithium to start to take effect when using it to treat bipolar depression. A standard dose of oral lithium for an adult is 600–900 milligrams, taken two or three times per day.