Medications For Bipolar Disorder - Choosing Wisely

There are more than a hundred different medications routinely prescribed for bipolar disorder, and most of them are either mood stabilizers or anti-convulsants.

Medication for bipolar disorder should always be carefully prescribed by a qualified mental health practitioner based on the patient’s symptoms. There can be cases, however, where standard medication may have been prescribed without adequate assessment of a patient’s needs.

Mood Stabilizers for Balance

Mood stabilizers aim to keep patients in a balanced mental and emotional state by regulating their mood. In general, mood stabilizers are prescribed when the patient’s symptoms are least disruptive.

Patients are then better able to cope with disruption caused by the intensity of extreme emotions and frequent mood changes. One of the most widely used mood stabilizers is lithium which promotes balance when prescribed and used correctly.

Side-Effects of Anti-Psychotic Drugs

For patients who experience psychotic episodes with their bipolar disorder, anti-psychotic medications such as Haldol are often prescribed.

Anti-psychotic drugs have numerous potential side-effects, ranging from minor to serious, and it is important that such medications are only prescribed when absolutely necessary.

Anti-Convulsants for Mania

Anti-convulsants are often prescribed for mania and anti-depressants for severe depression in bipolar disorder sufferers. This regimen may not be suitable, however, for patients who experience rapid cycling of mania and depression or mixed emotional states.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorders in Children

A current controversy in the treatment of bipolar disorders is the practice of administering anti-convulsants and anti-depressants for children with bipolar disorder.

Many in the medical community consider it inappropriate to use adult medication on youngsters who have very different growing needs. Also, there has not been enough research to determine the medications’ safety and their long term effects to children.

When considering the use of medications for bipolar disorder, it is important you choose wisely and closely monitor its helpfulness and side-effects.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Bipolar-Disorder-Today.com. She provides more resources on topics such as medications for bipolar disorder, the question am I bipolar and bipolar test that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flor_Serquina