Mood Stabilizers are medications primarily used to treat mood fluctuations in Bipolar Disorder and sometimes in certain types of depression. They help reduce the severity and frequency of manic or depressive episodes.
Key Points:
- Examples: Lithium, valproic acid (valproate), lamotrigine, carbamazepine.
- Mechanisms: Each agent works differently—some affect neurotransmitters like glutamate or GABA, while lithium’s exact mechanism is still not fully understood.
- Monitoring: Blood tests (for lithium or valproate), watching for side effects like weight changes, tremors, or liver/kidney impact.
- Combination Therapy: Often used alongside antidepressants or antipsychotics, depending on the individual’s symptom profile.
