Mood stabilizing medication helps treat mental disorders involving erratic changes from manic or excessive behavior to deep depression. The medication does not necessarily work on depression alone but helps regulate mood shifts in people with mental illness. Mood stabilizers also include anti-seizure drugs that have been found to help maintain mood levels.
Bipolar Disorder
Mood stabilizers often work on patients with bipolar disorder. The disorder causes extreme mood swings from feelings of depression, sadness and hopelessness during one period to manic phases, in which the person becomes overly enthusiastic or energetic and exhibits unrealistic goals. Doctors usually prescribe mood stabilizers as the first choice of medication for bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness. Bipolar patients may stay on mood stabilizers for years, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Some drugs help control the manic phase of bipolar disorder and prevent the recurrence of manic and depressive swings. Anticonvulsant medications, used to treat seizures, work effectively in stabilizing moods for bipolar disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder
People with borderline personality disorder suffer from mood instability. They may have intense periods of anger, depression and anxiety that last a few hours, the NIMH explains. Their behavior causes unstable relationships that may disrupt family life and careers. Patients may change plans frequently, changing jobs or finding new friendships. They may exhibit great admiration for people during one period and shift to anger at another. The disorder may accompany bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders or substance abuse for some patients. Mood stabilizers wok to treat depression and the sudden changes that occur with the disorder. The drugs may be used with antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorder characterize schizoaffective disorder, believed to be a type of schizophrenia, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Patients may experience disorganized behavior, delusions and hallucinations as well as periods of deep depression or manic phases similar to those experienced by bipolar patients. Subtypes of schizoaffective disorder include depressive and bipolar types. Patients often need a combination of medication and psychotherapy for long-term treatment to maintain functioning and avoid relapses. Mood stabilizers are among the drugs doctors prescribe. Patients may also use antipsychotics and antidepressants. Doctors may have to change the kinds of each medication until finding the right response in the patient and avoiding distressing side effects.
