Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
04:42

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

1.2K

Self-reported medication adherence and its correlates in a lithium-maintained cohort with bipolar disorder at a

Swarndeep Singh1, Saurabh Kumar1, Pankaj Mahal1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry
|October 8, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Lithium adherence in bipolar disorder patients is suboptimal. Positive attitudes towards lithium and family support during psychiatric visits significantly improve medication adherence.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Lithium is a primary treatment for bipolar disorder (BD) prophylaxis.
  • Medication adherence is a significant challenge in BD management.
  • Limited research exists on lithium adherence in the Asian context.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess self-reported medication adherence among lithium-maintained BD patients in India.
  • To identify correlates of medication adherence in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A naturalistic study of 76 lithium-maintained BD patients at AIIMS, New Delhi.
  • Inclusion criteria: lithium therapy ≥1 year, DSM-5 BD diagnosis, clinical remission ≥1 month.
  • Assessed using sociodemographic/clinical data, Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), and Lithium Attitude Questionnaire (LAQ).

Main Results:

  • Mean age 35.7 years, 59.2% males; median illness duration 84 months, lithium therapy 24.5 months.
  • Mean MARS score was 6.95 ± 2.81, indicating suboptimal adherence.
  • LAQ score was the strongest predictor of adherence (explaining >75% variance). Family support during visits also predicted adherence.

Conclusions:

  • Adherence to lithium treatment in this Indian BD cohort is not ideal.
  • Lithium-related attitudes and family support during psychiatric visits are key predictors of adherence.
  • Findings highlight the importance of addressing patient attitudes and social support for improving lithium adherence.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdherenceAttitudesBipolar disorderFamilyIndiaLithium

Related Concept Videos

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview01:24

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as...
516
Drug Therapy01:28

Drug Therapy

The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
225
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
426
Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
580
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview01:28

Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic...
765
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
516