Most Common Bipolar Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness. Those with bipolar disorder experience variable moods, from euphoria to depression. Because untreated bipolar disorder can cause severe impairment, psychiatrists treat bipolar disorder with a combination of medication and therapy.

Treatments

• Bipolar disorder is most often treated with medications, usually a combination of mood stabilizers and antidepressants.

Medications

• Lithium is a common mood stabilizer. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are common antidepressants. Other types of medications used for the treatment of bipolar disorder are anticonvulsants and atypical antipsychotics.

Uses

• Mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants are meant to control manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics are meant to eliminate hallucinations and delusions. SSRIs, MAOIs and TCAs are prescribed to decrease symptoms of sadness.

Side Effects

• Both mood stabilizers and antidepressants can cause stomach upset. More serious side effects are associated with the mood stabilizer lithium. High levels of lithium are toxic.

Important Note

• Bipolar disorder is best treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can provide important support for people with bipolar disorder. Therapy helps those with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms and moods and deal with the side effects of their medications.