Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme swings in mood, behavior, energy and thought patterns. A bipolar person will experience ups and downs in their mood.
The US National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.8 percent of adults have bipolar disorder.
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Doctors often find it difficult to treat bipolar disorder because everyone reacts to medications differently.
Many people with bipolar disorder try several medications before finding one that works for them. Some people also need to take more than one class of medication to control their symptoms.
There are different classes of drugs, and each class contains several medications that can safely and effectively treat bipolar disorders. These include:
Lithium uses the generic names lithium carbonate (capsules and tablets) and lithium citrate (liquid form), as well as various trade names.
The medicine works in the brain to help stabilize mood. Doctors may prescribe it to help treat bipolar disorder and acute mania.
Anticonvulsants treat conditions that cause seizures, but they can also help manage mania and bipolar disorders.
When a person is taking anticonvulsants to treat bipolar disorder, doctors often call them mood stabilizers.
Doctors typically prescribe antipsychotic medications to treat schizophrenia.
However, antipsychotics can also help manage bipolar disorders, especially those accompanied by periods of psychosis during severe depression.
Antidepressants can help control the symptoms of bipolar depression. They work by acting on brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Some people who take antidepressants to help treat bipolar disorders may also take a mood stabilizer to avoid the risk of complications.
A doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medication, such as benzodiazepines, for short-term use. These drugs can also help a person sleep.
