Drug Treatments For Bipolar Disorder

Running Head: DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 1

Name

Professor

Course

Date

Drug Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 2

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is characterized by persons experiencing episodes of mania and dejection.

Research indicates that the condition can be treated by the use of stabilizers and therapy.

Medication would incorporate stabilizers that will help in controlling the mood patients.

Moreover, medication is effective when accompanied by therapy, exercises and consumption of

healthy diets. In this context, omega -3 fatty acids are encouraged. Therefore, bipolar disorder

treatment is inclined more towards the patient’s determination than the prescriptions give at

health centers.

DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 3

Drug Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

This is a mental illness that is found in some people. Some experts in the medical field

refer to it as an adverse mental illness that is shown by repeated episodes of hypomania. At

times, it would be characterized by episodes of mania, and depression. Research indicates that

treatment of this condition is effective when drugs and social therapy are applied. In addition,

social interventions together with electroconvulsive therapy would be of help in curbing the

condition. Therefore, medication in regard to this aspect would be effective when accompanied

by therapy and living a healthy lifestyle. The drug aspect encompasses stabilizers whereas

healthy living standards would involve diet and physical exercises. Social networking

incorporating support groups would also be useful in regard to the bipolar treatment (WHO,

2006).

Many treatments in regard to this condition are based on medication because of the

benefits that would be obtained from the use of medical drugs. Medication has been found to

control and avert relapses associated with the condition once the condition has stabilized;

stabilization of mood. Medication has to be accompanied by the patient’s involvement in

personal coping strategies and taking healthy foods such as those having omega-3 fatty acids

(Montgomery and Richardson, 2008).

Lithium

Lithium is applied as a drug medication of bipolar condition, and its treatment is to

stabilize mood. It is an effective treatment for mania and despair. In addition, it would be used

for treating some bipolar conditions that would be low or even high. Its full effect would be

attained within 14 days. However, lithium has negative effects to the patient that would include;

DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 4

abdominal pains, tremor, diarrhea, weight gain, fatigue, feeling thirsty, and thyroid

complications. Therefore, regular blood tests are necessary to determine the required range of the

dose to be taken.

Anticonvulsants

The above term encompasses medications such as Valproic, Topiramate,

Carbamazinepine, and Lamotrigine. The above drugs are used to stabilize the frame of mind in

patients that would be experiencing the condition. For instance, Valproic in the form of Valproic

acid treats mania that is associated with hallucinations. The medication is used by patients that

cannot use Lithium as medication. However, the drug has the side effects that include; nausea,

dizziness, weight gain, tremor, drowsiness, and diarrhea (Miklowitz, Otto, and Frank, 2007).

Antidepressants

This medication requires that care is taken when they are being administered to patients.

In fact, in some instances, they may prompt episodes of mania. Some of the side effects that may

result from the use of antidepressants include problems associated with reaching orgasm and

sexual desires (Fink, 2012). Depressants such as Lamictal, Seroquel, Zyprexa, and Symbyax are

used as medication for bipolar condition.

Antipsychotic medication

The medication above is used in cases where the use of mood stabilizers has failed. They

are effective when used together with Lithium and Valproic drugs. Some of the medication in

this category include; Olanzapine, Ariprazole, Clozapine, Risperidone, and Quetiapine. The

DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 5

drugs above are also associated with drowsiness, weight gains, constipation, sexual dysfunction,

and blurred vision (MFMER, 2012).

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines treat anxiety and facilitate sleep in patients suffering from bipolar.

Some of the drugs that would be found within this category include clonazepam, alprazolam, and

chlordiazepoxide. These drugs have been associated with poor coordination within the muscles

of the body, balance problems and drowsiness.

Symbyax

The above drug incorporates fluoxetine and olanzapine. This makes it have the effect of

an antidepressant as well as a stabilizer. Some of its side effect include; drowsiness and increased

appetite. It would also lead to sexual related problems like those caused by antidepressants.

Thyroid medication

The above medication is administered to people that are identified with insufficient

thyroid hormone. This would be associated with the insufficient levels of the hormone in people

suffering from the disorder. Insufficient levels would also be caused by lithium medication that

is used as a medication of the same disorder. The medication above would have potential in

treating the condition because has little side effects (Melinda, Robinson, Segal and Ramsey,

2012).

Calcium channel blockers

DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 6

The above medication has slight negative effects on the patients suffering from the

condition above. They are used as mood stabilizers, and their effect is less than other medication.

They are applicable in cases where patients cannot tolerate depressants and other

anticonvulsants. Bipolar disorder can be controlled and managed in patients. Treatment would

encompass the use of drugs and application of therapy. Therefore, people having the condition

above should not get worried but instead, they should be encouraged to live a healthy life.

Treatment of bipolar disorder would need dedication of the people involved because it

requires them to check on their diet. In fact, they should consume essential oils that would ensure

that the medication given to them is working in an effective way. Moreover, they should involve

themselves in exercises and should also seek therapy from specialists. This would see their body

working in an effective manner ensuring that the medication works well in the body to stabilize

mood.

DRUG TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER 7

References

Fink C. Bipolar Disorder Medication Spotlight: Lexapro(Escitalopram)

Retrieved on 15 March, 2012 from:

< http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar/2009/04/bipolar-disorder-medication-spotlight-

lexapro-escitalopram/>

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Bipolar Disorder:

Treatments and Drugs.

Retrieved on 15 March 2012 from:

< http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-

and-drugs>

Melinda S., Robinson L., Segal J., Ramsey D. Medications and Drugs for Bipolar Disorder

Treatment

Retrieved on 15 March 2012 from:

< http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_medications.htm>

Miklowitz DJ, Otto MW, Frank E, et al. Psychosocial treatments for bipolar depression: a 1-

year randomized trial from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program. Arch Gen

Psychiatry. 2007 Apr;64(4):419-26.

Montgomery P, Richardson J. Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder. Cochrane Database Syst

Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD005169.

World Health Organization., & Disease Control Priorities Project. (2006). Disease control

priorities related to mental, neurological, developmental and substance abuse disorders.

Geneva: World Health Organization.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."