Bipolar disorder and anxiety are two different psychological disorders that affect quality of life. Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is a mood disorder in which the patient cycles between mania, an abnormally elevated mood, and depression, an extremely low mood. The severe apprehension that characterizes anxiety disorder is difficult to control without medical treatment. A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder can also have anxiety. There are many drugs that can lessen the symptoms of both disorders.
Antidepressants
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) states that antidepressants are effective in treating multiple types of anxiety disorders. The top choices include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which work by preventing the brain from recycling norepinephrine and/or serotonin, two neurotransmitters involved in mood. Sertraline, citalopram, paroxetine, escitalopram and fluoxetine are examples of SSRIs, and venlafaxine and duloxetine are examples of SNRIs. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline, amitriptyline and imipramine, are another group of antidepressants; however, they have more side effects and are not prescribed unless the other types do not work. Helpguide.org warns that patients with bipolar disorder should be careful when taking an antidepressant. If a patient with bipolar disorder takes an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer, it can result in a rapid cycling into mania.
Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are medications for bipolar disorder that effectively manage both mania and depression symptoms. Lithium is the oldest approved mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, and is usually the first choice of treatment. Valproic acid is a close second, and is more effective in a patient who has rapid cycling bipolar disorder, episodes with both mania and depression symptoms, or who has bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. Other mood stabilizers are topiramate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine, which are technically anticonvulsants. A doctor may prescribe a mood stabilizer to an anxiety disorder patient to enhance the effectiveness of the initial anti-anxiety medication.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a short-term medication for anxiety that acts on receptors in the brain. Lorazepam, alprazolam, diazepam and clonazepam are examples of benzodiazepines that are prescribed for anxiety disorder treatment. Benzodiazepines can be addictive, so the ADAA does not advise them for long-term use. Helpguide.org adds that a bipolar disorder patient can take a benzodiazepine for insomnia, anxiety or agitation symptoms; however, the medication is discontinued once the other bipolar disorder medication starts working.
