Why lithium is still the gold standard in treating bipolar disorder?

Lithium is like a super special medicine that helps calm down the mood swings in people who have bipolar disorder.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy, and then suddenly you feel really sad, like your toy just broke. That's kind of what happens to people with bipolar disorder: they swing between feeling very happy (like when you get extra candy) and very sad (like when you lose a game). Lithium is like a superhero that helps keep those swings in check.

Lithium works by gently helping the brain stay balanced, kind of like how a ruler keeps your drawing straight. When someone takes lithium regularly, it's like giving their brain a steady hand so they don't feel too up or too down, just right! This helps people live more happily and comfortably, without being caught off guard by big mood changes.

Lithium has been used for a long time because it works really well, making it the gold standard in treating bipolar disorder, like a trusty sidekick that’s always there to help.