Mood stabilizers are prescribed as medication for bipolar disorder, as they are effective in treating mania and minimizing the number of mood swings a patient has. When a mood stabilizer is combined with another medication, it is effective in treating the depression phase of bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers are divided into two major types: lithium and anticonvulsants.
Lithium
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1970s for the treatment of mania. Lithium is effective in controlling symptoms of mania, which is an abnormally high mood, and the medication can also help lower the number of manic and depressive episodes. HelpGuide notes, however, that lithium is not recommended for bipolar disorder patients who have mixed episodes, in which mania and depression symptoms occur at the same time, or have rapid mood cycling, which is classified as four or more mood shifts a year. Lithium takes one to two weeks to start treating symptoms. Blood tests should be done when a patient is first starting the medication, as too large a dose can be toxic.
Valproic Acid
Valproic acid, an anticonvulsant that is also effective in treating bipolar disorder, is prescribed if the patient does not react well to lithium. Valproic acid also treats the symptoms of bipolar disorder that lithium does not: rapid cycling, mixed episodes and mania with psychosis, in which the patient has hallucinations and delusions. The NIMH notes that the FDA approved valproic acid in 1995 for mania treatment.
Other Anticonvulsants
Other anticonvulsants are also used as mood stabilizers. The NIMH states that the FDA also has approved lamotrigine, but for maintenance treatment, meaning the medication limits the number of manic and depressive episodes. Gabapentin, topiramate and oxcarbazepine are options as well. All anticonvulsants, including valproic acid, carry an FDA warning, as they can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors. As a precaution, patients starting these medications are monitored closely.
