It’s been used since the 1970s as a mood stabiliser for people with bipolar disorder – but now, experts say lithium has fallen out of favour, and patients are paying the price. Dr Allan Young tells Medical Minefield of his concerns that not enough psychiatrists are prescribing the medicine, despite the raft of evidence proving its benefits. But Dr Joanna Moncrieff, psychiatrist and academic from the University College London, passionately disagrees – and says the serious risks, including kidney damage and extreme drowsiness, are not worth the benefits, and the drug is best avoided.

<p>It’s been used since the 1970s as a mood stabiliser for people with bipolar disorder – but now, experts say lithium has fallen out of favour, and patients are paying the price. Dr Allan Young tells Medical Minefield of his concerns that not enough psychiatrists are prescribing the medicine, despite the raft of evidence proving its benefits. But Dr Joanna Moncrieff, psychiatrist and academic from the University College London, passionately disagrees – and says the serious risks, including kidney damage and extreme drowsiness, are not worth the benefits, and the drug is best avoided.</p>

Medical Minefield is a new health podcast where we talk about the ethical dilemmas at the heart of the health stories that matter the most. Join Barney Calman, the Mail on Sunday's health editor and deputy Health Editor Eve Simmons every week for a podcast tackling the big questions in health. 

<p>Medical Minefield is a new health podcast where we talk about the ethical dilemmas at the heart of the health stories that matter the most. Join Barney Calman, the Mail on Sunday's health editor and deputy Health Editor Eve Simmons every week for a podcast tackling the big questions in health.&nbsp;</p>

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