Mood stabilisers can take several weeks to fully work. As a result, in the early stages of treatment, other psychiatric medications, such as antipsychotics, are frequently used to treat acute mania. It can be difficult to distinguish bipolar depression from other types of depression. Antidepressant medications can be beneficial, but they should never be used alone to treat bipolar disorder because they can cause mania in a depressed person. Antidepressants may also cause more frequent mood swings or rapid cycling. The risk is reduced if the person also takes a mood stabiliser.
Examples of mood stabilisers:
Lithium, anticonvulsants, and antipsychotics are the three most common types of mood stabilisers. There are various types of drugs within each of these categories.
A mood stabiliser is a psychiatric medication that is used to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and the bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder, which are characterised by intense and sustained mood swings. The majority of mood stabilisers are antimanic agents, which means they treat mania, mood cycling, and shifting but not acute depression. The main exceptions to this rule are lamotrigine, lithium carbonate, olanzapine, and quetiapine, which treat both manic and depressive symptoms.
Nonetheless, antidepressants are frequently prescribed in conjunction with mood stabilisers during depressive episodes. This comes with some risks, as antidepressants, especially when taken alone, can cause mania, psychosis, and other troubling symptoms in people with bipolar disorder. It is unknown whether antidepressants can cause mania in patients who are also taking antimanic medications, but it is possible. In the treatment of bipolar depression, antidepressants appear to be ineffective.
Mood stabilisers
Mood stabilisers are a type of medication used to treat bipolar disorder. The most well-known medications in this category are lithium, valproic acid, and carbamazepine.
In addition to their therapeutic effects for the treatment of acute manic episodes, these medications are frequently used as prophylaxis against future episodes and as adjunctive antidepressant medications. While significant extracellular effects cannot be ruled out, the overwhelming evidence suggests that the therapeutically relevant targets of this class of drugs are found within cells. In this overview of a rapidly evolving field, we discuss common effects of mood stabilisers as well as effects that are unique to individual medications.
Mood stabilisers have been shown to modulate enzymes, ion channels, arachidonic acid turnover, G protein-coupled receptors, and intracellular pathways involved in synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection.
Understanding the therapeutic targets of mood stabilisers will almost certainly lead to a better understanding of bipolar disorder pathophysiology and the development of more effective treatments. Furthermore, the involvement of mood stabilisers in neuroprotection pathways suggests that they may be useful in the treatment of classic neurodegenerative diseases.
Most mood stabilisers work through a variety of mechanisms, including changes in voltage-gated ion channels and intracellular signalling pathways, as well as modulation of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
The most common side effects of mood stabilisers are tremors, nausea, and dizziness. The following mood stabiliser side effects should be reported to your doctor: dizziness, extreme drowsiness, and a rapid heart rate. While mood stabilisers can have negative side effects, they should not be stopped. The mood swings of bipolar disorder are difficult to manage. When you are depressed, it can be difficult to do the things you want and need to do. During manic episodes, you may be rash and volatile.
Mood swings:
Mood swings have the uncanny ability to make you feel completely out of control and hypersensitive to any sensation, touch, appearance, or word. As frustrating as it may be, the good news is that you are not alone. According to the American Medical Association, more than 75% of women experience some level of emotional distress between the start of menstruation and the end of menopause.
Mood swings are characterised by irritability, depression, fatigue, and insomnia. Mood swings are caused by hormonal imbalances and the effect of the reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone on serotonin levels in the brain. They impair one’s ability to think, process information, and effectively deal with stress. Historically, narcotic drugs such as lithium and valium were used to treat the roller coaster-like symptoms. More natural therapies based on botanical enhancements, diet, and exercise are becoming available as more is learned about the causes of mood swings.
The most effective way to prevent mood swings is through treatment. An individual will not be able to avoid mania or depression entirely. Even those who take their medications and take care of their health can experience mood swings on occasion. As a result, it’s critical to recognise changes in your mood, energy levels, and sleeping patterns before they become a problem.
Conclusion:
Mood swings can be caused by some mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression), schizoaffective disorder, and personality disorder. Mood swings can indicate both elevated (mania) and depressed (depression) moods (depression). If you have a mood disorder, you may be prescribed mood stabilising medication to balance out the highs and lows of your mood. Various medications can help with mood stabilisation. Medication has different effects on different people, and there may be side effects. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about your medication.