Pills Used for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental disorder that causes extreme mood swings between depression and mania. There are a variety of treatment methods, and most include medications. The pills that are best will differ from patient to patient.

Types

• For the most part, doctors prescribe three kinds of pills for bipolar disorder. They are mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics. Work with your doctor to determine which is right for you.

Neurotransmitters

• Neurotransmitters are chemicals that affect workings of the brain. Most doctors believe bipolar is caused by different levels of neurotransmitters. Each type of bipolar medication affects these chemicals in distinct ways.

Mood Stabilizers

• Mood stabilizers are intended to prevent and relieve episodes of mania or depression. Different types of mood stabilizers include lithium, divalproex, and carbamazapine.

Anti-Depressants

• Antidepressants help with depression by increasing the neurotransmitter serotonin. They are typically used in conjunction with mood stabilizers to treat bipolar. Types of antidepressants include fluoxetine (Prozac), bupropion (Wellbutrin) and sertraline (Zoloft).

Anti-Psychotic

• Anti-psychotic medications are specifically for the treatment of mania. They control psychotic symptoms like delusions or hallucinations. Examples include haloperidol, perphenazine and chlorpromazine.