biological treatments
Because bipolar disorder is a physical health problem , the main treatments are biological . They consist mainly of medications , but also treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy and phototherapy .
drugs
Two major classes of drugs are used against bipolar disorder : the mood and extra medications.
mood
Mood stabilizers are medications that reduce abnormal mood swings . They can also prevent mood problems. The first and most studied of these is lithium , a natural salt that is used for 50 years. Lithium is still widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Carbamazepine , a drug used primarily as an anticonvulsant in epilepsy , is prescribed from time to time . It was discovered psychorégulatrices its properties in the 1970s . Valproic acid (and its derivatives such as sodium valproate and divalproex sodium ) is another anticonvulsant that began using widely in the 1990s as a mood stabilizer .
It is popular because many doctors believe it is used to treat a wide range of mood swings as lithium, while having fewer side effects .
However, new treatments are not necessarily better than the other because of their new single . For some patients , lithium remains the most effective treatment.
Ancillary drugs
The additional agents used to treat specific symptoms , such as depression, sleep problems , anxiety and psychotic symptoms. These include antidepressants, anxiolytics and antipsychotics , or " neuroleptics ." Often these drugs are prescribed for a short duration , unlike the mood .
antidepressants
Antidepressants are drugs that were employed initially to treat depression, and more recently discovered properties useful in treating anxiety disorders . The first antidepressant was discovered by chance. Thus, patients with tuberculosis in the 1950s were often treated with iproniazid , which was found the stimulating effect . Research led eventually to the creation of tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine ( Tofranil ® ) and amitriptyiline ( Elavil ) . Fluoxetine ( Prozac ), the first "new" antidepressants, has been put on the market in the 1980s . At present , there are more than 40 antidepressants that are part of a variety of drug classes .
It is believed that antidepressants work by affecting the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain , including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Can prescribe antidepressants to people with bipolar disorder during depressive episodes , but be careful because they can trigger mania and frequent mood fluctuation (fast cycle).
Anxiolytics ( drugs against anxiety)
Anxiety is a common symptom of bipolar disorder. Sleep disorders are also very common during intense episodes. Benzodiazepines, a class of drugs ( the best known is the Valium ) has a mild sedative effect , are often prescribed , such as lorazepam ( Ativan ) and clonazepam ( Rivotril ) . The patient may take a short period without becoming addicted . Clonazepam is particularly useful for treating excess energy and insomnia typical of hypomania .
For more serious anxiety problems such as panic attacks , a type of psychotherapy called cognitive -behavioral therapy can be very beneficial. It may even be essential because the antidepressants that are sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders can cause manic episodes.
antipsychotics
Antipsychotic drugs are commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. They have a pronounced sedative effect , which helps to control manic symptoms and to treat psychotic symptoms. These symptoms may include delusions of grandeur or persecution and hallucinations. Conventional antipsychotics, such as haloperidol and loxapine may also prevent manic episodes, but their consumption over a long period can cause serious side effects such as tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder .
Newer antipsychotics are also useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. They include olanzapine ( Zyprexa ) , risperidone ( RisperdalMD ) , quetiapine ( SeroquelMD ) and clozapine ( ClozarilMD ) . The action of these new drugs may be similar to that of mood . Research is ongoing to determine if they can handle not only mania, but also depression, and prevent further episodes. These new drugs have fewer side effects than traditional antipsychotics .
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