| Bipolar disorder is a mental illness requiring prolonged | | | | taking a mood stabilizer. Common antidepressants are |
| treatment. People with this disorder experience | | | | monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as |
| extreme emotional highs (mania) and lows | | | | isocarboxazid (Marplan), tricyclics such as imipramine |
| (depression.) Numerous advancements in bipolar | | | | (Tofranil), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |
| disorder treatments have been made over the past | | | | (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac.) Antipsychotic |
| few decades. | | | | drugs are used in severe cases where mania and |
| Physicians, however, still do not know exactly what | | | | depression are strong enough to cause psychosis. |
| causes the illness. The disorder is now effectively | | | | The most commonly used antipsychotic drugs are |
| treated through a combination of medication and | | | | risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine. Some of them |
| psychotherapy. Since it is a recurrent illness, lifelong | | | | have mood-stabilizing properties. |
| preventive treatment is strongly recommended. | | | | Psychotherapy, together with drug treatment, |
| Bipolar disorder medications include mood stabilizers, | | | | provides many additional benefits. It helps patients |
| antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Mood stabilizers | | | | resolve their work and relationship problems. The |
| can effectively control manic and depressive moods | | | | most common psychotherapy interventions |
| in many patients. Lithium carbonate, Valproic acid, | | | | attempted are cognitive behavioral therapy, |
| Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, and | | | | interpersonal therapy, and family-focused therapy. |
| Topiramate are the commonly used mood stabilizers. | | | | Proper nutrition also helps control the mood swings |
| The majority of mood stabilizers are anticonvulsants, | | | | associated with bipolar disorder. Research indicates |
| with the exclusion of lithium. Mood stabilizers are | | | | that high doses of nutritional supplements such as |
| sometimes used in combination with one another. | | | | glyconutrients cure symptoms of manic depression. |
| Bipolar disorder is also treated with antidepressant | | | | Alternative treatments such as acupuncture and |
| medications. However, they carry a high risk of | | | | orthomolecular therapy are also used in the |
| inducing mania, particularly in patients who are not | | | | treatment of bipolar disorder. |