What is the therapeutic level range for lithium?

A. During depressive episodes, individuals often experience psychomotor retardation, which can manifest as slow and sluggish movements. In contrast, the manic stage is marked by heightened energy and activity levels.
B. Feelings of extreme sadness and hopelessness are characteristic of the depressive stage of bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, individuals typically experience elevated mood, which might be euphoric, irritable, or excessively optimistic, rather than feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
C. This is a hallmark of the manic stage of bipolar disorder. During a manic episode, individuals often have significantly increased energy levels, engage in numerous activities, and may exhibit restlessness.
This heightened activity can include impulsive or risky behaviors, excessive talking, and a reduced need for sleep.
D. Loss of appetite and weight loss are more commonly seen during depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, individuals might experience an increased appetite or engage in disinhibited eating behaviors, which contrasts with the decreased appetite often observed in depressive stages.

A. This category typically involves a person who is unable or unwilling to come to terms with significant life changes or losses, such as financial difficulties, health problems, or other major life transitions. The patient in the scenario does not seem to be demonstrating a refusal to accept a diminished lifestyle but rather a reaction to a specific event, the end of her engagement.
B. This category describes a situation where the individual’s suicide attempt is not solely intended to result in death but rather is a way of expressing severe distress and seeking help. In this case, the patient’s action of calling friends and family immediately after the overdose indicates that she may have been reaching out for help and wanted others to know what she had done. This behavior aligns with a cry for help, as it reflects a desire for intervention and support rather than a determination to die.
C. This category involves a persistent and obsessive focus on suicidal thoughts or plans. While the patient has attempted suicide, the scenario described does not emphasize a long-standing preoccupation with suicide. Instead, it highlights a reaction to a recent distressing event.
D. This category is characterized by the use of suicide as a means to escape or alleviate intense emotional pain or distress. While this might be a factor in the patient’s behavior, the immediate act of calling friends and family after taking the medication suggests that her intention was more focused on seeking help than solely relieving distress.