Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder where patients have both depression and mania symptoms. Depression symptoms include sadness, difficulty sleeping and fatigue, while mania symptoms include euphoria, decreased need for sleep and excessive energy. Antidepressants are one type of medication used to treat bipolar disorder, though their effectiveness is debated.
Uses
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states antidepressants are the most commonly used medication for bipolar depression treatment.
Types of Antidepressants
Not all forms of antidepressants are approved by the FDA for bipolar disorder treatment. Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine), according to the NAMI, is used for bipolar depression. Symbyax is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which increases the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain related to mood.
Rapid Mood Switches
The Mayo Clinic states that when antidepressants are taken alone, they can cause bipolar disorder patients to have rapid mood switches from depression to mania.
Effectiveness
Few studies, according to the NAMI, show that antidepressants are effective in treating bipolar disorder.
Considerations
Bipolar disorder patients should discuss the pros and cons of antidepressants with their doctor and explore other medication options, such as mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants.
