ABSTRACT
Since the development of alternative forms of therapy has become of increasing importance, it seems appropriate to review the current assets and liabilities oflithium treatment. M. Schou’s article represents a strong, articulate, and well-referenced review that is primarily focused on the positive aspects oflithium prophylaxis for bipolar and unipolar affective disorders. Turning to lithium administration, with respect to the notion of monitoring serum lithium, Schou feels that there is a need for regular determination of serum lithium only every 2 to 6 months. Schou goes on to demonstrate that the use oflithium may lead to decreased mortality compared with other antidepressants. The reluctance of individuals to seek treatment and the stigma attached to the treatment of mood disorders have compounded the difficulty of inducing pharmaceutical companies to begin tackling the problem of finding antidepressants that would be especially useful in bipolar disorder.
