If a person has any mental health condition, the most obvious option at such a moment is to consult with a mental health professional. At such moment, the mental health professionals use mood stabilizers to treat mental health conditions. At the very first, the doctors held counseling, and if they did not manage it properly, they would consider medication as the next option. Many people consider it the fastest means for treating mental health conditions.
So, they use the most common term at that moment, which is mood stabilizer, the most useful medicine at such a moment. Here in this guide, we’ll overview the mood stabilizer medication, treatment, and effectiveness on mental health. Keep reading this interesting information till the end!
What is Mood Stabilizer?
In bipolar disorder and other mental issues, doctors use medication called mood stabilizers to manage the affected patients. It permits people with bipolar disorder to manage their high (manic) and low (depressive) episodes. Examples of mood stabilizers are lithium, anticonvulsants, and antipsychotic medications. Similarly, healthcare providers prescribe best mood stabilizers to treat patients with bipolar disorder. Some practitioners may also use them in the treatment of other mental health issues, including:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression and anxiety
- Schizoaffective disorder
- ADHD / ADD
- Bipolar Disorder
Do you want some quick means to mange the mental health issues? If so, you may contact us at MAVA Behavioral Health where our mental health professionals firstly perform psychiatric evaluation and then treat you through medication prescription and management.
Mood Stabilizers for Depression and Anxiety
Mood stabilizers might seem to be popular with the elements of bipolar disorder as they tend to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. Here’s how it assists:
I. Anxiety
A doctor can issue mood disorders to a patient if the individual try every single known approach to control their anxiety and is still unable to retract the level of anxiety. The medication works at both the physical and mental levels, enabling the individual to feel calmer.
II. Depression
After losing hope in all other medications, patients can find that mood stabilizers for depression work if all other antidepressants. Mood stabilizers attempt to alter the brain chemistry, which manages neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These changes improve energy and mood, reducing the degree of depression while enhancing emotional balance.
Types of Mood Stabilizers
1) Lithium
Sodium’s flow in the nerve and muscle cells is influenced by lithium. During excitement or mania, sodium comes into play. Bipolar disorder (manic depression) benefits from the use of lithium, which is mood stabilizing. Sodium also helps to prevent or mitigate the severity of manic attacks. Doctors prescribe lithium for use in both adults and children aged 7 years and above.
2) Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants are medicines that mainly control seizures in patients with epilepsy, although they can also be used to treat mood disorders, nerve pain, and headaches. These medicines modify brain activities that are too high to stop inappropriate nerve impulses from being generated.
3) Antipsychotics
Doctors primarily use antipsychotic medicines to manage symptoms of psychosis or other similar conditions. Nonetheless, using antipsychotic medication does not automatically indicate having a psychotic condition or a symptom. This is because antipsychotic medications serve other significant purposes.
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Mood Stabilizers for Kids
In children suffering from severe mood dysregulation or bipolar disorder, healthcare providers use mood stabilizers to assist them in achieving emotional steadiness. Blockade of manic (very high level of activity and impulsivity) and depressive (low energy and motivation). These symptoms enable emotional stability to be attained. The doctors supervising ensure that treatment.
You will need to collect regular blood samples and have checkups to manage side effects and maintain appropriate levels of the medicine in your system. In most cases, using mood stabilizers with lifestyle changes to improve a child’s health and well-being.
Mood Stabilizers Vs Antidepressants
Mood Stabilizers | Antidepressants |
| Healthcare providers mainly use it for bipolar disorder and conditions with pronounced mood swings. | Doctors primarily prescribe it for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and related conditions. |
| Work to balance mood by stabilizing neural activity, reducing both manic and depressive episodes. | Typically, increase neurotransmitter levels (like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) to improve mood. |
| Specifically designed to prevent or reduce manic episodes. | Using it without a mood stabilizer may trigger manic episodes in bipolar patients. |
| Often require regular blood tests (e.g., lithium levels) and clinical monitoring due to potential toxicity. | Usually, healthcare providers do not need intensive blood monitoring; they base dose adjustments on symptom response. |
| It can include weight gain, tremors, kidney or liver concerns, and drowsiness | Common side effects include sexual dysfunction, insomnia, weight changes, and sometimes. |
Common Mood Stabilizer Medication for Mental Health Issues
i. Valproate (Depakote, Valproic Acid)
The drug did have vioprond hidden to treat seizures and head pains. Because of the high chances of an attack on the liver, constant observation of the nursing state is another necessity. Common problems include gaining weight, waking up, and fury running to the belly.
ii. Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Bipolar patients show responsiveness to Lamictal therapy in the management of depressive episodes. Long-term stability of mood is noted. Unlike other mood stabilizers, this medication functions better in the depressive phase of bipolar disorder than in mania. This medication is also more effective in mitigating depression than other depression medications.
Any side effects that do occur are surely mild in severity, consisting of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, skin rashes, tiredness, lightheadedness, and vomiting. In the case of depression being the primary symptom of a mood disorder, doctors consider lamotrigine the treatment of choice.
iii. Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro)
Doctors commonly prescribe carbamazepine for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and some forms of epileptic conditions. This medication has advantages for patients who do not do well on lithium. We will have to follow hepatic function and low white blood cell counts regularly for safety. Dizziness, faintness, and general malaise may result as side effects.
iv. Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Oxcarbazepine isn’t as complicated as blood tests because it has a lower chance of side effects. It is sometimes use off-label as a best mood stabilizer for anger. It helps treat mood disorders, particularly in an acute manic phase. Constant monitoring of sodium levels is warranted to highlight the risk of hyponatremia. Along with these side effects, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches may occur.
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Best Mood Stabilizer Medication
The mood stabilizers drugs are effective for patients with bipolar disorder, the decision of which particular medication is taken will be affected by the patient’s background, symptoms, and response to the medication. The following are some of the aspects that affect the choice of a stabilizer:
- Lithium is the ideal choice for those with bipolar disorder as it has the highest efficacy in managing mania and suicidal ideation.
- Doctors most commonly use Lamotrigine for bipolar depression due to its anti-depressive properties.
- Doctors best use valproate for patients with rapid cycling or mixed episodes of mania and depression.
- Carbamazepine will help patients who do not respond to treatment with sustained-release lithium.
Closing Remarks
Medications like bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder are specially developed for mood disorders such as emotional detachment or severe emotional dysregulation. Mood stabilizer medications like lithium, valproate, and lamotrigine prevent peak emotional episodes. These medicines help achieve therapeutic effects as they modulate the activity of neurotransmitters, which helps reduce affective volatility and self-harm.
Most patients require a combination of these medications. Caring for patients with adversity, and attending to their primary needs, is fundamental to effective care. If you or your loved one is suffering and needs special care, MAVA Behavioral Health is here to provide proper medication management to maintain stability in mental health. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
FAQ’s
Do mood stabilizers help with anxiety?
Yes, stabilizers are helpful in the management of anxiety, particularly in patients who have bipolar disorder or persons with frequent mood changes. Medications like Valproate and Lamotrigine can alleviate anxiety symptoms. However, these medications are not primary for anxiety on its disorders without accompanying polyps’ chic symptoms.
What does a mood stabilizer do?
Stabilizers help mitigate extreme fluctuations like bouts of mania followed by severe depression by levelling out emotions. Thus, it keeps the individual in a constant mood state, hence useful with individuals who have bipolar disorder and other affective disorders. Such medications decrease the heightened state of the brain to mitigate sudden episodes of emotion.
What is the most commonly used mood stabilizer?
Doctors commonly use lithium as a mood stabilizer to help control the affective instability. Lithium helps lessen both manic and depressive episodes. And even mitigate suicidal thoughts.
What is the happy pill for bipolar?
Managing bipolar disorder isn’t as simple as taking one single magic pill; however, lithium is considered the gold standard for mood stabilization. It assists in averting severe emotional fluctuations and maintaining equilibrium. Other medications, such as Lamotrigine and Valproate, are also utilized in the control of the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Are mood stabilizers safe?
Yes, mood stabilizers are considered safe with prescription but require constant monitoring. To keep you protected from any drastic side effects, your physician will appropriately adapt the dose.
