An important point to note about Lithium carbonate and sodium valproate (sodium di-n-propylactic acid, valproate, valproic acid, epilim), is that these medications can be essentially regarded as the only specific drugs that we have in psychiatry today. In other words, if the patient responds unequivocally to these medications, this is usually a clear indication of some form of bipolar illness (Hopkins & Gelenberg, 1994; Goodwin & Guze, 1989). .
However, the problem with the diagnosis of BD is that many individuals will present with depressive symptoms but initially make no reference to hypomanic symptoms unless the practitioner actively questions the patients about these. This withholding of reference to the hypomanic symptoms is usually related to the manic defence, which tends to produce a degree of mindlessness and lack of concern about hypomanic symptoms. As a result, it can be common that a range of personality disorders, substance abuse, addictions, anxiety conditions, sleep disorders, depression and even schizophrenia may be diagnosed, and accordingly inaccurate medications prescribed for the BD sufferer (Hopkins & Gelenberg, 1994; Goodwin, & Guze 1989). .
Scientists first discovered the synthesis of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) from serotonin, in the late 1950's. It is a naturally occurring hormone synthesized in the pineal gland in the center of the brain and, to a lesser extent, in the retina. The pineal gland regulates the body's biological clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus SCN), with dusk or darkness triggering melatonin secretion and sunlight inhibiting it (Tzischinsky, Dagan & Lavie, 1993). .
Although uncertainties still encompass the precise role of melatonin once in the bloodstream, (for this is quite a new field of research), it is suggested that melatonin may have a role in the biologic regulation of circadian rhythms, sleep, mood, tumor growth, reproduction and even aging.
