Understanding Bipolar symptoms & Bipolar medication

It is not easy to diagnose bipolar symptoms effectively with bipolar medication. The illness itself poses a lot of unforeseen difficulties and doctors have to go by trial and error which we will discuss below.

There is no magic pill; it is just a matter of finding the right mix of drugs that allows you to function once again in your life. Each of us are different when it comes to bipolar medications. The truth of the matter is what works for some may not work for others.

Treatment of Mania or Hypomania

There are various medications used in the treatment of hypomania or mania but doctors will take a number of factors first. Not only do different drugs have different effects, people react to them in very different ways so doctors will be involved in a little trial and error basis and this will take some time.

Mania and Hypomania Medications

Lithium is a simple naturally occurring salt known to be effective in people with classic symptoms of mania or hypomania. As a medication it is prescribed either as lithium carbonate (Camcolit, Liskonum, Priadel) or lithium citrate (Li-liquid, Priadel liquid). For rapid cycling bipolar, lithium is not the first choice, sodium valproate or semi-sodium (Depakote) is used as a replacement.

Using Mood Stabilizers in Treating Bipolar Depression

The new focus in bipolar depression treatment is on optimizing the dose of mood stabilizers. The term ‘mood stabilizer' is frequently used to describe the pharmacological effects of certain medication and the following medications may help:

* Lamictal (lamotrigine) is used to delay the time and occurrence of mood episodes in depression, mania, hypomania or mixed episodes.

* Seroquel (quetiapine) an antipsychotic medication and works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

* Zyprexa: (olanzapine) is believed to work by opposing the action of serotonin and dopamine transmission, two of the brain's important chemical messengers. Serotonin is involved in the regulation of sleep, appetite, sexual desire, and mood, while dopamine helps control movement, cognition, and motivation.

* Symbyax: (a pill that combines olanzapine with the antidepressant fluoxetine) work by blocking receptors for several neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other)

The Use of Benzodiazepine

Mood stabilizers and antidepressants can take up to several weeks to reach their full affect. While waiting for your medication to work, some doctors may prescribe benzodiazepine to relieve any symptoms of anxiety, agitation, or insomnia you might be having. Benzodiazepines are fast-acting sedatives which work within 30 minutes to an hour. Because of their high addictive potential, benzodiazepines should only be used until your mood stabilizer or antidepressant begins to work. Those with a history of substance abuse should be particularly cautious.

Warning to Mothers with Bipolar Symptoms

All these bipolar medications is not recommended during the first 3 months of pregnancy and women with bipolar symptoms taking birth-control pills must be warned; these pills may alter the breakdown of other medications in the body. Also mothers who are planning to breast-feed; small amounts of medication, the estrogen can pass into the breast milk which can affect the baby very badly.