Bipolar Symptoms

Common Bipolar Medications

Last modified on 2008-10-12 02:23:10 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Bipolar disorder can control your life if not properly managed, and given bipolar medications.  However it is often difficult to diagnose, and many times difficult to find the right balancing act in treating it effectively.  There is a fine line bipolar disorder victims walk, and the trick lies in finding the perfect dosages and the perfect types of medications for your particular case.

There are several kinds bipolar medications prescribed for patients, and here we will cover the most common ones.  Mood stabilizers such as lithium, are used to treat both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder, and are often taken consistently, even during normal periods, in an effort to prevent extreme episodes from occuring.

Anticonvulsants such as Valproate and Carbamazepine are given to control periods of mania.  Again, they are often used in the prevention of episodes from occurring as well.

Bipolar medications like anti depressants such as Prozac or Wellbutrin are used to combat the severe lows of bipolar disorder, when the victim sinks into deep depression.

Antispsychotics are also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.  Drugs like Abilify and Clozaril  are used during periods of extreme mania, a victim can deteriorate into delusional behavior, or hallucinate.  This helps to curb those symptoms.

Antianxiety medication like Xanax  is sort of a short term quick solution in regards to bipolar medications.  It can help relieve stress in a person experiencing a manic episode, and can reduce symptoms of insomnia as well.

These are all the more common drugs that are prescribed for bipolar treatment, however there are several more available than just these.  Which type of bipolar medication you are prescribed depends entirely on your doctor, and the type of symptoms you are experiencing.  The basis of these meds are to help victims find a balance in their moods and prevent future episodes of severe mania or severe depression.

Once you have found the right balance, it is possible to live a full life mostly symptom free.  It is also important to remember that some of these bipolar medications can take several weeks to really create a noticible effect.  If you feel a particular medication isn’t working for you, or is causing adverse symptoms that you can’t live with, please inform your doctor so they can make a change for you.  Bipolar disorder can be managed when armed with the proper tools!

Bipolar Medication- Should You Take It?

Last modified on 2008-10-18 13:39:46 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Bipolar medication in some cases is really unavoidable. Due to chemical imbalances in your brain, your brain is not functioning at full capacity, and may need help in the form of medicines or drug therapy. A catch 22 that generally occurs in people suffering from bipolar disorder, is that they begin taking bipolar medication, and start their road to becoming symptom free, only to realize that that is all that is happening. They are taking away the symptoms, and not providing a cure.

Many patients are tempted to stop taking their bipolar medication when they start to feel better, and truthfully, if your medication is working for you, that is the absolute LAST thing you should do. Bipolar disorder is generally an recurring disorder, and each time a patient suffers an episode, it is that much harder to get back on track and treat effectively. Un treated or poorly treated bipolar disorder can create lasting damage to a persons nervous system, which would end up making recovery 10 times more difficult, if not impossible.

Patients who are tempted to stop taking their bipolar medication should stop to think for a moment. Bipolar disorder affects judgment, especially during a manic phase. Despite the fact that you feel better now, and are feeling happy, stopping your medication would be a mistake that would land you right back where you were, and struggling all the harder to over come your disorder. Why derail all that progress?

A good way to keep yourself on the right path, is to create a checklist of your life before medications, and your life after. Was your life better or worse? In what ways does your bipolar medication effect you? How does it help you? Also, remind yourself what life is like when you are off meds, and enlist your family to keep you on track. An alternative to stopping bipolar medication, is speaking to your doctor about possibly reducing your dosages, and see how you do.

Also always keep in mind that stopping bipolar medication abruptly can result in some serious withdrawal symptoms, including pain and suicidal thoughts. Why put yourself back into such a dark place unnecessarily? Take your bipolar medication instead.