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Mood Stabilizers in Children

"Mood stabilizer" is a broad term for medications that help control mania and depression, although most are actually only effective for mania and show little evidence of controlling depression. Mood stabilizers are often prescribed for children with bipolar disorder.

  1. What is Mania?

    • Mania is characterized by impulsive, erratic behavior, racing thoughts, elevated or agitated mood, poor judgment, sleep disturbances and feelings of grandeur or invincibility.

    Role of Mood Stabilizers

    • People with bipolar disorder have periods of mania and periods of depression. Mood stabilizers "level out" your mood by decreasing mania.

    Research

    • Very little research has been done on medications for children with bipolar disorder; in fact, childhood mood disorders were first recognized in the DSM IV---the mental health professionals' diagnostic manual---until 1994. Still, doctors have reported good results in treating juvenile bipolar patients with mood disorders.

    Lithium

    • Lithium was the first drug approved for controlling symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is the only drug proven to alleviate both manic and depressive symptoms and has been a highly effective treatment for bipolar adults since the 1970's. It has been proven effective in preventing suicide in bipolar patients.

    Anti-convulsants

    • Some anti-convulsants are effective in controlling mania, and are often called mood stabilizers. These include valproate, carbamazepine, gabapentin and lamotrigine.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of mood stabilizers include nausea, rash, dizziness, sleep and appetite disturbances, dry mouth, increase in thirst and urination, weight gain and shakiness. Your child's doctor should monitor him closely for these and any other possible side effects. They may go away after a few months.

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