Lithium is a mineral just like more common ones such as sodium, calcium, and potassium. Lithium occurs naturally and is found plentifully in certain rocks. Small amounts of lithium can be found in plant and animal tissue. Lithium is also found in water, more commonly found in spas and under ground sources.
History.
In 1817 lithium was discovered by a man named J.A.R Arfvedson. In earlier times, people used to bathe in springs and spas which lithium was found and it was said that it had soothing effects. Although never documented, since before the Middle Ages, some doctors have noticed that lithium can control over excitement due to different causes.
In 1949 an Australian physician named John Cade introduced lithium when he reported it was an effective treatment for manic excitement. .
Although it may have soothed many people or made them feel incredibly relaxed, it was not known that lithium can accumulate to dangerous or even fatal amounts. In this study four people died and several developed toxic reactions from unrestricted use of lithium. After these accidents, many doctors chose to ignore the positive side to lithium. Almost fourteen years after the introduction of lithium, in the 1960's, Dr. Mogens Schou a European doctor, urged the acceptance of lithium in the United States. Growing interests of lithium led to more testing and clinical trials. These studies concluded that in appropriate amounts, lithium can be used not only safely but also effectively to treat certain disorders.
Uses:.
Psychiatrists use lithium for many different things. It can treat such things as depression, explosive behavior, alcoholism, and aggressivism. But what many people don't realize is that it is also proven to be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
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Does it work? .
The effectiveness of lithium in many cases has been proven over and over in more than two decades. Many scientists have tried to prove it doesn't but no one had any success.
