For bipolar disorder treatment, The National Institute of Mental Health reports that mood stabilizers are commonly prescribed in the event of Bipolar Disorder since they are often the first course of medication that may be necessary. Additionally, to mood stabilizers and antidepressants, other medications that treat manic episodes and mixed episodes of mania and depression, as well as other medications that treat other manifestations of manic depression are also available. These include antipsychotics. Suppose you have a personal physician that he recommends. In that case, it may be worth talking about these medications as your health insurance can sometimes cover them if you are suffering from a severe illness.
There are different types of Bipolar Disorder treatment. These include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications and working with co-occurring disorders.
Understanding Mood Stabilizers
Bipolar disorder treatment commonly involves mood stabilizers. They work by balancing out the brain chemicals that cause you to feel good or bad. Bipolar Disorder is a severe condition, and mood stabilizers are the only medication that can help stop the quick shifts of mood, resulting in either mania or depression, and in some cases, both at the same time. This medication can be used for the treatment for bipolar patients that experience manic episodes and depressive episodes, but it can also be used for various other mental health conditions.
Some Anticonvulsants Commonly Prescribed For This Use Include:
- Lamictal
- Depakote
- Trileptal
- Tegretol
A Brief View on Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are another popularly prescribed Bipolar Disorder treatment. They work by controlling the chemicals in your brain that transmit impulses to various parts of the body. The main drugs used for this type of Bipolar Disorder are Clonidine and Lofexidine. Bipolar Disorder treatment can be used with mood stabilizers or just on their own.
These Antipsychotics Are Commonly Prescribed:
- Latuda
- Zyprexa (The best results have been achieved with the use of Zyprexa in treating severe psychotic depression, as it is characterized by delusions and hallucinations.)
- Geodon
- Abilify
- Risperdal
- Clorazil
Another common medication for Bipolar Disorder is the tricyclic antidepressant Elavil. It can treat both mania and depression simultaneously but has not been approved to treat manic depression. It can be used to treat both of these disorders separately if you prefer. It is available in most pharmacies without a prescription. People in bipolar disorder may benefit from counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a variety of lifestyle improvements to help them control their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Newer medications are being developed every day that are being tested for use as Bipolar Disorder treatments. One such drug called Pimafix is being used for Bipolar Disorder. This medication is similar to some antidepressants but does not carry the risk of many side effects. Pimafix is being developed for adult Bipolar Disorder.
Understanding Antidepressants
Other Bipolar Disorder treatment are not as effective. Some of these are being developed with side effects that cause even further problems in taking the drug. Bupropion is one such medication that has not shown promising results. A study comparing this medication with Effexor found that patients taking the former had worse improvement than those who took the latter.
This Includes Antidepressants Such As:
- Prozac
- Paxil
- Zoloft
Mood stabilizers are prescribed with antidepressants for the bipolar disorder treatment.
Concept of Antipsychotic Medications
Another type with Bipolar Disorder treatment is known as antipsychotic medicines. These are often used in conjunction with an antidepressant to treat severe mania, which is one of the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. However, there are many different antipsychotic medicines, including a mixture of benzodiazepines and mood stabilizers. Some of the common side effects include sweating, confusion, slowed breathing, jitteriness, and increased heart rate.
Common medications for Bipolar Disorder treatment include antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants, which are commonly prescribed in combinations. In addition to the common side effects described above, these drugs can cause patients to have driving and insomnia problems.
A few antidepressants, such as clomipramine (also known as Anafranil) and fluoxetine (also known as Prozac), have serious side effects, including mania and hallucinations. Suppose a patient is on an antidepressant and begins to exhibit symptoms of mania or hypomania. In that case, it is important to immediately stop the antidepressant and seek emergency help, as these conditions can be fatal.
Medicine for Bipolar Disorder
There are many ways to find out more about these Bipolar Disorder treatment. A physician can prescribe you the proper remedy. You can also do further research on your own to learn more about handling different types of Bipolar Disorder symptoms. Various websites offer advice and suggestions on how to deal with Bipolar disorders. If you need more information, you can go through the medical references provided.
Before taking any medication, it is essential to know how it affects your body. A doctor will tell you what side affects you should expect when using any prescribed medications. Some websites offer advice on reducing the side effects of drugs that you may be prescribed for Bipolar Disorder treatment. It is always advisable to take medicines under the guidance of a Physician or Psychologist. This will help you understand how your medication works and what side effects it may have.
The use of mood stabilizers in the treatment of Bipolar Disorders is relatively everyday and effective. It has been proven that this type of medication can successfully treat and even prevent the recurrence of mania or depression. However, it is also important to note that mood stabilizers can cause sedation. They can affect patients with a tendency to drink. Before you decide on medication for bipolar Disorder, it is advisable to talk to your Physician and your Psychiatrist.
You may be advised to try out various medications for Bipolar Disorders before deciding on the drug to use. This will help you determine which medicines are the most effective and what side effects you may face. A lot of times, people tend to take medications for Bipolar Disorder for the wrong reasons. If you are taking these medications unnecessarily, it will put your health at risk and prevent you from getting better faster. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is the most effective mood stabilizer for bipolar depression, although it is not as effective for mania. Lamotrigine should be started at a very low dose and gradually raised over four weeks or more.
Medications for Bipolar Disorders can help a person suffering from this Disorder from having severe mood swings and experiencing suicidal thoughts. But this type of treatment can have some severe side effects that patients need to know about. The medications used to treat this condition can alter the way how the brain works. This can cause the patient’s moods to change and cause them to feel worse for a time. There are also risks involved with these drugs, especially if they are taken for an extended period.
There are three major classes of medications for Bipolar Disorder. The first is an antidepressant. When a patient takes these medications, it changes their brain chemistry so that they feel good. But when the drug is stopped, the cycle starts all over again. It is essential to be careful when taking these medications, exceptionally if a doctor does not prescribe them. Some of the common side effects include restlessness, insomnia, nausea, and upset stomach.
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Substance abuse can become an issue Substance abuse may turn out to be an issue and addiction are other considerations when considering medications for Bipolar Disorders. Meds for Bipolar Disorder do not work effectively if patients are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doctors will often attempt to withhold treatment if the patient is under the influence of substance abuse and may refer them to a substance abuse rehabilitation program for help. However, if a patient only has one or two substance abuse incidents and no other symptoms, they may still receive good Meds for Bipolar Disorder treatment. Once in the substance abuse program, patients should attend all meetings and follow through with all appointments.
Unfortunately, the Usual Result Is Ongoing Drug Abuse Causes a Slew of Issues, Which Can Include:
- Problems at home
- Legal issues
- Increased difficulties maintaining employment
- Acute and chronic health problems
- Overdose
- Accident
- Death
Medications for Bipolar Disorders often require patients to live a particular lifestyle. Patients must avoid stimulants such as caffeine and excessive amounts of carbohydrates and fats. Also, patients should avoid any recreational drug use. In many cases, patients must also take a maintenance dosage of the medication to prevent a manic episode.
There are several alternative treatments available for those who have Bipolar Disorder. For example, many believe that biofeedback may be an effective treatment method. This approach focuses on regulating various brain areas and uses feedback to teach patients how to control their moods. Another alternative treatment is known as “brainwave entrainment,” in which audio sound or light stimulation is used to control different aspects of a patient’s brain activity.
Meds for Bipolar Disorders often require the use of powerful drugs that a licensed physician should only prescribe. Such medications should be specified under careful supervision because they carry a significant risk for side effects. They may cause changes in personality and thought patterns, making the patient feel worse for several days or possibly longer. In the most severe cases, Meds for Bipolar Disorders may be necessary to induce a coma. Before starting any treatment plan, it is essential to discuss all available options with your doctor carefully.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, you will want to discuss medications for Bipolar Disorder treatment with your doctor. You must understand the medicines available to help control your Disorder. Discussing your symptoms with your doctor will help him or her know what treatment is best for you. Talking with your doctor about your diagnosis will help you understand what is involved with Bipolar disorders and allow your doctor to prescribe the best course of action to treat your condition. Being correctly educated will enable your physician to prescribe the correct medications for your symptoms.
Treatment in Intensive Care Facility
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that requires intensive treatment and in the case of chronic drug abuse or substance abuse, a Dual Diagnosis recovery program that addresses both conditions is recommended. Contact us today to learn the complete study that will help your loved one with the bipolar disorder treatment.
Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine. His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. He is a freelance medical writer specializing in creating content to improve public awareness of health topics. We are honored to have Ben writing exclusively for Dualdiagnosis.org.