Introduction

In 1949, Australian psychiatrist John Cade described a therapeutic action of lithium carbonate in mania. This date is regarded as an introduction of lithi um into contemporary psychiatric therapeutics and the beginning of modern psychopharmacology. In the early 1960s, a prophylactic activity of lithium was observed, preventing recurrences of affective episodes in mood dis orders. Lithium has become a prototype of the mood-sta bilising drugs and remains a drug of the first choice for the prophylaxis of recurrences in bipolar mood disorder.

Literature review

Both the introduction of lithium into psychiatric therapy and its therapeutic action has been reflected in literature and art. This article presents the connections of lithium therapy with literature and art. They pertain to such characters as John Cade, Salvador Luria, Patty Duke, Kay Jamison, Jerzy Broszkiewicz, Ota Pavel, Robert Lowell, Jaime Lowe, Nicole Lyons, Kurt Co bain, Sting, and the band Evanescence.

Conclusions

Special attention was given to the book Unquiet mind, written in 1996 by Kay Jamison, professor of psychology. In the book, her personal bipolar disorder and lithium treatment were described from the view point of the eminent professional. Polish translation of the book titled Niespokojny umysł already has two edi tions: in 2000 and 2018.