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Medications to Help Anger in Bipolar 1

Ridding patients of irrational hostility is a common goal for mental health care providers. Medications to help anger in bipolar 1 are readily available and easily accessed through a physician or psychiatrist. Individuals struggling with anger management as a result of this mood disorder frequently benefit from prescription intervention.

Stabilizing the mood of Bipolar 1 patients often requires the use of multiple psychoactive drugs. The disorder is characterized by inappropriate and exaggerated shifts in mood. The Mayo Clinic reports persons affected by Bipolar 1 experience both depressive and manic periods. Proper management of a patient's mood requires both extremes be controlled.

Patients seeking treatment for anger symptoms should be aware of the substantial list of warnings and potential side effects associated with medication options. Anger is associated with manic episodes in bipolar 1 and is generally treated with mood-stabilizers or antipsychotic drugs. Both families of medication are highly effective, but many patients do not adjust well to their socially awkward effects.

  1. Lithium

    • Using Lithium (lithium carbonate) to control manic episodes is a standard and effective treatment option. Mayoclinic.com states lithium is widely prescribed and often a doctor's first choice of medication to treat bipolar 1 disorder. Lithium is essentially salt and its exact action is not entirely understood. Decades of research reveal that along with its profound capacity to control mania, lithium can cause serious side effects and irreversible thyroid damage.

    Tegretol

    • Tegretol (carbamazepine) is an anticonvulsant medication used successfully in the treatment seizures and bipolar disorder. Drugs.com explains Tegretol functions by reducing nerve activity, but other sources claim its exact actions are undetermined. OrganizedWisdom.com reports studies show the medication is effective in managing irritability and anger in bipolar individuals. Tegretol is used for the treatment of mood disorders, however, the FDA has not approved the medication for this use and its manufacturer, Novartis, does not indicate its use in this manner.

    Depakote

    • Depakote (valproic acid ) is indicated for the treatment of bipolar mania and depression. MedlinePlus.com states Depakote is commonly used to treat aggression in children. The medication can be highly effective in relieving feelings of anger and hostility, but its use comes with serious risk. Extensive warnings exist for individuals with preexisting conditions and known side effects, including suicidal thinking and behavior, can be life threatening.

    Haldol

    • Haldon (haloperidol) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of bipolar 1 mania. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports clinical study of the medication has delivered positive results. Haldol is an antipsychotic medication and carries the typical risks associated with this family of medications. Label information provided by its manufacturers, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, warns of potential fatality when used in individuals with certain preexisting medical conditions involving depression of the central nervous system. Label warnings also pertain to long-term neurological side effects, including pervasive involuntary movements.

    Risperdal

    • Risperdal (risperidone) effectively reduces symptoms mania in bipolar 1 disorder, including anger and irritability. It is considered an atypical antipsychotic because its chemical structure is not similar to other antipsychotic and it carries a unique list of possible applications and dangers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of this powerful drug has been expanded, extending its benefits to a host of mood-altering disorders, including Autism.

      Risperdal is among the most tolerable medications to help anger in bipolar 1. Medical News Today reports common side effects are noticeable, but not life threatening. More serious side effects have been reported, but are rare. Pregnant women or those who may become pregnant during the course of therapy should discuss Risperdal's benefits to the mother and risks to the child. Breast-feeding is not advised while taking this medication.

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