A new eLearning video about the depression medicine, lithium, has been launched by the St Patrick's Mental Health Services.

Lithium is mainly used to prevent mood swings caused by bipolar disorder and to suppress recurring depression in people who have suffered severe depression or depression that has lasted a long time or keeps coming back.

It is also used to treat mania, i.e. feeling very excited or being overactive, and can reduce the incidence of suicide in people with bipolar disorder.

This new interactive eLearning video provides important information about lithium, including how to take it, common side-effects and how to recognise the signs of symptoms of lithium toxicity.

"This eLearning video empowers service users to make informed choices around their own health care. However, this video provides knowledge to anyone with questions about lithium, not just service users," commented Amanda Fitzpatrick, head of pharmacy at St Patrick's.

The video can be viewed here

For more information on the St Patrick's Mental Health Services, click here

For more information on depression, see our Depression Clinic here