1. Take Anti-Psychotics to Treat Mania
Anti-psychotics are used to treat episodes of severe mania in bipolar disorder. Manic episodes can veer out of control quickly, and may produce symptoms of psychosis. An anti-psychotic drug may be prescribed for long-term use if manic episodes are frequent. A doctor might also prescribe an anti-psychotic on an as-needed basis for symptom control if manic episodes are infrequent. There are several different brands of anti-psychotic drugs on the market, and your doctor may have to try a few on you, and at different dosages, before he hits on the right one.
2. Understand the Side Effects
Although anti-psychotics are highly effective at controlling manic episodes, they can have side effects, including drowsiness, increased weight, sexual difficulties (including impotence), difficulty concentrating or understanding things, irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness and involuntary muscle spasms. If you experience any of these, see your doctor immediately. He may need to adjust your dosage or put you on a different anti-psychotic medication altogether.
3. If You're Pregnant
Several anti-psychotic drugs have proven unsafe during pregnancy and some others are questionable. In most cases, it's best to avoid anti-psychotics completely during your first trimester. If you're able to avoid these drugs for your entire pregnancy, that's all the better. However, if you find that you can't get by for nine months without taking an anti-psychotic medication, there are some anti-psychotics that are generally safe to use during a pregnancy if you take them at low doses. Some anti-psychotics can cause your hormone levels to drop, which makes it difficult to conceive, so avoid these drugs if you're trying to get pregnant.
