Antipsychotic Mood Stabilizers

Antipsychotic Mood Stabilizers

by | Apr 21, 2022 | aripiprazole, Bipolar Disorder, Medications, quetiapine

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

 

THE GOOD

Originally developed for hearing voices in schizophrenia, but so many other uses!

Great for bipolar mania

Most Antipsychotic Mood Stabilizers (AMS) treat bipolar depression as well

Good addition to antidepressants for moderate to severe unipolar depression

Safe for kidneys and thyroid

Most are generic

Taken once daily

Most help you sleep! (But some give you more energy without the sedation)

Not a lot of medication interactions

Yearly blood tests to check cholesterol and blood sugar

 

THE BAD

Often cause sleepiness (this can be a good thing!)

Can increase blood cholesterol (needs to be checked annually)

Can increase blood sugar and the risk for diabetes (needs to be checked annually)

Mild to moderate weight gain is possible/common

 

THE UGLY

Uncommon: AKATHISIA

  • “Restless legs all over my body”
  • Not fatal, but uncomfortable
  • Can be easily reversed with beta blockers, a blood pressure medication

Very rare: TARDIVE DYSKINESIA

  • Involuntary muscle movements, usually of the face or tongue
  • This is more common at higher doses of AMS
  • 1/3 of the time, it does not go away
  • There are several new medications on the market that are good at treating this if it persists after the medication is stopped
  • Seroquel (quetiapine) has the lowest risk
Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder

Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder

by | Apr 21, 2022 | aripiprazole, Bipolar Disorder, lithium, Medications, quetiapine, valproate

If you have highs that last for days to weeks as well as depression, talking to your psychiatrist about the possibility of Bipolar Disorder type I or Bipolar Disorder type II might be a good idea. Bipolar disorder medication is treated inherently differently than unipolar depression, where you only have low moods without the highs. Bipolar disorder requires a mood stabilizers. usually, antidepressants like Prozac can have negative effects effects on mood. First line treatment is a mood stabilizer, and only at that point could your psychiatrist consider adding an antidepressant for anxiety or medication for ADHD.

 

Common Mood Stabilizers

Common Mood Stabilizers - Lithium, Valproate, Seroquel and Abilify

Getting the diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be quite disorienting and fear-inducing. However, there are many successful programmers, attorneys, and even physicians with bipolar disorder. Additionally, there is a connection between bipolar disorder and creativity that is undeniable, even though it has yet to be fully explored. Read The Midnight Disease by neurologist Dr. Alice Flaherty of the Harvard Medical School to learn more.

Treating bipolar disorder is one of the best parts of my job, because while it can be debilitating, with the right medication people feel better and quickly become more successful, effective, and happier. I like being able to help someone find their true self again.