Lithium

LithiumDiscover the groundbreaking exploration of lithium as a treatment for bipolar disorder in the enlightening book, 'Lithium' by Walter Brown. This compelling narrative not only highlights one of the most pivotal medical discoveries of the 20th century but also delves into the life of John Cade, the physician whose revelations transformed mental health treatment. In just 256 pages, Brown masterfully unfolds the history and evolution of bipolar disorder

Discover the groundbreaking exploration of lithium as a treatment for bipolar disorder in the enlightening book, 'Lithium' by Walter Brown. This compelling narrative not only highlights one of the most pivotal medical discoveries of the 20th century but also delves into the life of John Cade, the physician whose revelations transformed mental health treatment. In just 256 pages, Brown masterfully unfolds the history and evolution of bipolar disorder treatment, leading up to the revolutionary 1949 research that showcased lithium's extraordinary ability to alleviate manic-depressive episodes. Readers will journey through the shocking stigmas and the slow acceptance of this miracle metal, as well as witness the shadows of past treatments including insulin comas and lobotomies. Perfect for both medical professionals and individuals seeking understanding, 'Lithium' provides a unique blend of history, science, and personal stories that resonates with anyone affected by mental health issues. Available in brand new condition and published by W W Norton & Company in 2020, this book is a must-read for those passionate about psychology and psychiatry. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781631497902
Year: 2020
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 256


Description:
The DNA double helix, penicillin, the X-ray, insulin”these are routinely cited as some of the most important medical discoveries of the twentieth century. And yet, the 1949 discovery of lithium as a cure for bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the most important”yet largely unsung”breakthroughs of the modern era. In Lithium, Walter Brown, a practicing psychiatrist and professor at Brown, reveals two unlikely success stories: that of John Cade, the physician whose discovery would come to save an untold number of lives and launch a pharmacological revolution, and that of a miraculous metal rescued from decades of stigmatization. From insulin comas and lobotomy to incarceration to exile, Brown chronicles the troubling history of the diagnosis and (often ineffective) treatment of bipolar disorder through the centuries, before the publication of a groundbreaking research paper in 1949. Cade's śLithium Salts in the Treatment of Psychotic Excitementť described, for the first time, lithium's astonishing efficacy at both treating and preventing the recurrence of manic-depressive episodes, and would eventually transform the lives of patients, pharmaceutical researchers, and practicing physicians worldwide. And yet, as Brown shows, it would be decades before lithium would overcome widespread stigmatization as a dangerous substance, and the resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, which had little incentive to promote a naturally occurring drug that could not be patented. With a vivid portrait of the story's unlikely hero, John Cade, Brown also describes a devoted naturalist who, unl