Unusual changes in mood, energy, levels of activity and tasks of daily life characterize bipolar disorder. Patients with this serious psychological disorder experience mood episodes that fluctuate between the manic phase and the depressive phase. Guidelines set in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders divide bipolar disorder into three types. Bipolar I disorder is the only type with full- blown manic episodes that last at least seven days and depressive episodes typically lasting at least two weeks. Patients with bipolar disorder mania need medications to manage their condition. Treatment includes the use of lithium, anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications.
Lithium
According to HelpGuide.org, lithium, the oldest and most well known mood stabilizer effectively treats mania. Achieving full therapeutic effect requires a patient to take lithium for one to two weeks. Regular blood tests determine if the prescribed dose is in the therapeutic range. Change in body weight, menstruation and taking certain drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen influence lithium levels. The National Institute of Mental Health warns that lithium lowers thyroid levels in some patients. Extremes in thyroid levels lead to changes in mood and energy.
Anticonvulsant mood stabilizers
Anticonvulsant mood stabilizers reduce the symptoms of mania and regulate mood swings. The very effective mood stabilizer, valpoic acid, controls frequent episodes of mania and mania associated with hallucinations. Physicians prescribe anticonvulsant mood stabilizers for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of lithium. The National Institute of Mental Health alerts patients that increased levels of testosterone in teenage girls is a serious side effect of valpoic acid. Anticonvulsant mood stabilizers carry a FDA warning of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Antidepressants
The use of antidepressants to treat bipolar disorder is controversial. HelpGuide.org explains that antidepressant drugs must be combined with mood stabilizers to insure effective treatment. Use of antidepressants alone triggers manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. Long-term use of antidepressants has a mood stabilizing effect and increases the frequency of manic and depressive episodes. Side effects such as headache, nausea, feeling jittery and sleep disturbances like sleeplessness last for a few days.
Antipsychotic drugs
Antipsychotic drugs effectively regulate manic episodes and treat cases of bipolar manic disorder unresponsive to mood stabilizers. Psychiatrists prescribe antipsychotic medications for patients who lose touch with reality during a manic episode. The National Institute of Mental Health warns that antipsychotic drugs can cause major weight gain and changes in metabolism. This side effect increases the risk of developing diabetes and high cholesterol.
