Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of lithium as a treatment for bipolar disorder.

Key terms and concepts that may be included in student responses:
▪ Advantages-people who maintain adequate doses of lithium have significantly fewer relapses
▪ Disadvantages-high toxicity potential (difference between an effective dose and toxic dose is small), so patients must be carefully monitored by physicians; problematic side effects (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, twitches, blurred vision, problems in concentration and attention); can cause diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney dysfunction; can contribute to birth defects