Word: lithium
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Estroff saw similar contradictions in the use of such medications as lithium carbonate and Prolixin Decanoate. These "meds" soothe psychotic symptoms, but bring on strong side effects that work as badges of distinction between the patients and outsiders: a freezing of facial expressions, hand tremors, and jiggling of the legs when seated (known by the patients as "the Prolixin stomp"). Most patients knew they were taking "meds" because they were different from "normies"; yet when they tried to be normal by refusing medication, their behavior often became more bizarre. Estroff herself tried Prolixin to experience its effects, but quit abruptly...
...Lithium treatment, Tosteson says, is most often used to aid manic depressives. He says that in many manic depressives the red cell membrane has no system for regulating the transport of lithium. Tosteson hopes to examine the chromosomes of manic depressive individuals to see if there is a correlation between the presence of genes for the mental disorder and the presence of genes for the red cell membrane disorder...
...Both isotopes are easily obtained. Each gallon of sea water contains one-eighth gram (.004 oz.) of deuterium, which can be converted into the energy equivalent of more than 1,100 liters (300 gal.) of gasoline. Tritium does not exist freely in nature but can be produced by bombarding lithium (which can be extracted in large quantities from rocks or sea water) with neutrons...
Blitz Alert. Some 50,000 to 100,000 Americans are now on lithium, and Fieve thinks "millions more" could benefit from it. Critics complain that the drug is already reaching patients who are not manic-depressives. Fieve thinks wider use is bound to come. His own four-year study reports lithium is "clearly effective" for severe recurrent depression. The drug is now being tested for everything from schizophrenia to alcoholism and aggressive behavior. The drug is nonaddictive but must be carefully monitored, and blood levels should be checked frequently; an overdose can bring on coma or death. Cautions Dr. Ralph...
Though Maude's doctored scripts may not promote lithium use, Dr. Guttentag thinks that the two shows may promote better mental health. She alerted all the more than 200 CBS affiliates to be ready for a post-Maude blitz of phone calls. Thirty-five affiliates agreed to run public service spots telling viewers where they can get help. Most of the rest of the stations stood ready to refer troubled callers to state or local mental health centers. More dubious is Dr. Fieve, who wishes that the subject had been treated on a better program...