Understanding Mood Stabilisers
Though technically diverse, mood stabilising drugs share a common goal : they help regulate fluctuating moods, especially extreme highs and lows.
They are commonly recommended for :
- Bipolar disorder
- Manic or hypomanic episodes
- Severe, recurrent depression or schizoaffective disorder in particular instances
The Different Kinds
These medications come primarily in three categories:
Multiple specific drugs fall under each category, sometimes going by various names.
Lithium as a Mood Stabiliser
Popularly prescribed for bipolar disorder, lithium is available in forms like :
- Lithium carbonate (Camcolit, Priadel, Liskonum)
- Lithium citrate (Li-liquid, Priadel)
Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilisers
Some anticonvulsants serve dual purposes and can also regulate mood. These include :
Antipsychotic Mood Stabilisers
Some antipsychotics have been approved for mood stabilisation, especially in bipolar disorder treatment, as per the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
These include :
- Haloperidol (various brands)
- Olanzapine (various brands)
- Quetiapine (various brands)
- Risperidone (various brands)
- Asenapine is also sometimes employed for treating mania.
Criteria for Mood Stabiliser Prescription
Several factors influence the prescription of a mood stabiliser, such as your diagnosis, past medication history, current health status, and your treatment preferences.
Who Can Prescribe Mood Stabilisers?
GPs or specialist healthcare providers like psychiatrists usually handle these prescriptions.
May I Need Additional Medication?
Combining a mood stabiliser with other medications like certain antidepressants or benzodiazepine tranquillisers might be advisable depending on your symptoms.