Mood stabilizers such as lithium and lamotrigine refer to psychiatric medications that treat changes in mood. Sometimes, individuals may experience extreme sadness followed directly by extreme happiness. In some cases, the mood fluctuations can be erratic. There are certain disorders that can be treated with mood stabilizers.
Bipolar Disorder
Mood stabilizers can effectively treat bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depressive disorder consists of a manic phase and a depressive phase. Symptoms of the manic phase include euphoria, problems concentrating, aggressiveness, high self-esteem and an increased sex drive. Depressive symptoms include hopelessness, sadness, chronic pain, a poor appetite and anxiety.
Mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproic acid can treat bipolar disorder. Lithium and valproic acid balance the extremes in mood. The Mayo Clinic says that lithium's side effects include tremors, weight gain and problems with digestion. Side effects of anticonvulsants like valproic acid include drowsiness, weight gain and tremors. Antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine, and benzodiazepines such as clonazepam, can be used to treat bipolar disorder. Other treatment methods include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and electroconvulsive therapy.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have the inability to control their emotions. It is characterized by fluctuating self-images. For example, one day an individual can view herself as non-existent and the next deem herself evil, says the Mayo Clinic.
Borderline personality disorder manifestations include impulsiveness (unsafe sex, gambling or taking illicit drugs), strong emotions that are intermittent in nature and anger that can escalate into physical violence. Mood stabilizers, psychotherapy and hospitalization may be needed to treat borderline personality disorder.
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia is a less serious form of bipolar disease. The symptoms are similar to bipolar disorder but are not as chronic or severe. Specific manifestations of cyclothymia include the exact same manifestations as bipolar disease. Sometimes, people may experience mixed episodes in which they are depressed and hypomanic simultaneously. Mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, antipsychotic medications and anti-seizure medications also treat cyclothymia. Psychotherapy can also be beneficial to cyclothymia sufferers.
