The historical background of using lithium as a choice of classical treatment of bipolar disorder in Turkey had a trend parallel to that of the world. We think that what contributed to this end was the successful efforts of Dr. Mogens Schou in giving lectures on the issue in Turkey. Dr. Schou was the one who conducted the trials which contributed to the process of approving lithium as a maintenance medication by the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration). This editorial article contains quotations from the biographic study made with Dr. Niyazi Uygur who stated that he had started the initial trials relating to the routine use of lithium in clinical practices. Owing to this study, the bibliography on the use of lithium in Turkey was screened back to the earliest dates and presented to the reader. The information in the literature we could reach indicates that lithium started to be used in 1970s also in Turkey and there still are bipolar patients whose treatment is in progress at present. As in many areas, Turkish Psychiatry has joined the lithium (in treatment of bipolar disorder) revolution at a very early stage and demonstrated its leading role.
Key words: Lithium, bipolar disorders, historical background, Turkey, Mogens Schou
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