Bipolar Medication

Find Relief with Bipolar Medication

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a medical condition that affects millions. Not only is this disorder potentially life-altering for its sufferers, but also for their family and friends. Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder experience alternating episodes of depression and mania, sometimes with normal periods of functioning in between. Some bipolar episodes are severe, others are mild. Some last for a few days, while others last for months. Then there is what's known as mixed mood, where both mania and depression is experienced in one day. Many sufferers of all kinds often find relief from one or more types of bipolar medication.

Antidepressants are the first category of medication that may be used in the treatment of this disorder. The majority of antidepressants prescribed today are either SSRIs or SNRIs. SSRI stands for selective serotonin reputake inhibitor and includes medications like Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain. SNRIs are a bit different than SSRIs. SNRI stands for serotonin norepinephrine reputake inhibitor and works on both serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Examples of SNRIs include Effexor and Cymbalta. Antidepressants should be used under strict medical supervision as they can potentially trigger manic episodes in bipolar patients. They are sometimes used along with the next category of drugs -- antipsychotics.

Antipsychotics such as Abilify, Clorazil and Zyprexa are normally used for treating manic episodes. They may also be used to treat psychotic behavior which occurs during a severe manic or depressive episode. Other uses for antipsychotics include the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and agitation in bipolar sufferers. These drugs can be administered for a short period of time as opposed to antidepressants which are often given on a long-term basis. There are risks to consider when taking antipsychotics, such as weight gain and an increase in cholesterol levels. The prescribing physician will weigh potential risks against potential benefits when deciding whether or not to use this type of drug.

Mood stabilizers are another type of bipolar medication that may be prescribed. Examples of mood stabilizers include Lithium, Depakote and Trileptal. These drugs are used to treat manic episodes, encourage normal periods, and discourage development of both manic and depressive episodes. As mentioned before, some patients are prescribed both antidepressants and mood stabilizers at the same time. Occasionally, they may also be used in conjunction with antipsychotics. If you are suffering from bipolar disorder, your doctor will decide whether or not mood stabilizers, antidepressants or antipsychotics are right for you.

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Bipolar Disorder News:

LDS Ensign Topics: Bipolar Disorder: My Lessons in Love, Hope, and .
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a college student, shortly after returning from my mission. Receiving the diagnosis of mood highs and lows was devastating. I was already in a deep depression, and the news sent me reeling. ...

Living With Bipolar Depression - North American Press Syndicate

Living With Bipolar Depression
North American Press Syndicate, NY - Dec 30, 2008
(NAPSI)-The more you know about a condition such as bipolar disorder, and in particular the depressive episodes of the condition, the better able you may be .

Doctor to halt his drug firm activities - Boston Globe

InjuryBoard.com

Doctor to halt his drug firm activities
Boston Globe, United States - Dec 30, 2008
A hospital spokeswoman said that Biederman, who specializes in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder, has withdrawn from running several industry-funded .
Harvard Psychiatrist Must Suspend Clinical Trials Over Conflicts InjuryBoard.com
While You Were Sleeping Chronogram
Psychiatrist to Curtail Industry-Funded Activities New York Times
Trading Markets (press release)
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Otter Creek Closes After State Budget Cuts (WLKY Louisville)
Read these stories to find out how people living with bipolar disorder learned to persevere after their diagnosis and how you can too. More Think you cant own a vacation home for less than $100,000? Check out these lesser known spots where you can relax without the high price...

The Probable Bipolar Disorder Cause (PIZZAHEROS)
The Bipolar Disorder cause is said to be the inequity of neurotransmitters in an individuals brain. Scientists are still in the dark as with the reason for such disproportion of chemicals in the human brain...

Choose your illusion - Reno News & Review

Choose your illusion
Reno News & Review, NV - Jan 1, 2009
Classic bipolar disorder, also known to Jimi Hendrix as manic-depression, is characterized by violent mood swings, from euphoria to despair, from delusions .

Letters to the editor Sunday (Savannah Morning News)
Downsizing mental health: Have they lost their minds?..

Tuscan Tony: Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder · Looking at this quiz, are you by any remote chance reminded of anyone? Posted by Tuscan Tony at 3:40 PM. Labels: Gordon Brown, mental, should be in hospital with wires and tubes trailing from his head ...

» Bipolar Disorder Pre-Screening - Bipolar Beat
In Bipolar Disorder for Dummies , we discourage anyone from attempting to self-diagnose or diagnose others suspected of having bipolar disorder and encourage you to obtain a diagnosis from a qualified doctor EUR preferably a psychiatrist ...

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