Children with bipolar disorder are often treated with medication to control their symptoms. According to Robert Weis in "Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology," medication is the first step in treatment and a way to minimize mania in children with bipolar disorder. Lithium is the only mood stabilizer approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for children. In addition to lithium, anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants may be prescribed to treat bipolar disorder.
Lithium
Lithium is a medication that stabilizes mood. According to Weis, it is able to decrease levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps to calm mood and decrease symptoms of mania. Weis described a research study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that found significant improvements in symptoms of adolescents who took lithium to control mania.
Anticonvulsant Medications
Anticonvulsant medications such as divalproex and carbamazepine are also used to stabilize mood. Weis reports that although traditionally for use in treating seizures, anticonvulsants have success in controlling the mood symptoms of bipolar disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health also indicated that anticonvulsants can be used instead of lithium to stabilize mood and in some cases can be as effective in treatment.
Atypical Antipsychotic Medications
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, atypical antipsychotics may also be used to treat symptoms of a manic episode or a mixed episode, a combination of mania and depression. These include olanzipine, aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone. Weis suggests that these medications be added to a mood-stabilizing medication when warranted by the child's symptoms, such as when characteristics of psychosis are present.
Antidepressant Medications
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that antidepressants may be used to treat the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder, often in conjunction with a mood stabilizer. Antidepressant medications such as fluoxetine, sertraline and buproprion may be prescribed for depression in people with bipolar disorder. However, recent research by the National Institute of Mental Health found that depression can be treated just as well with a mood stabilizer.
References
- "Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology"; Robert Weis; 2008
- National Institute of Mental Health: How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
