Treating a Bipolar Symptom of Depression (Aggression) with Bipolar Medication (Antidepressant)

We meet negative behaviors like aggression, provocation, and intrusive behaviors on a daily basis. We meet these behaviors in our homes with members of our own families, on the road to work, at work or out on the streets. These behaviors, though negative in nature, have an important purpose in our human lives. It is a defensive mechanism between members of different species and normally takes a variety of forms among humans which can be physical, mental or verbal. These negative behaviors are usually intended to cause pain or harm to another person and often originate from outside catalyst, but have a very distinct internal character. But with people who have bipolar symptoms of aggression, there may be no outside stimuli and no internal character.

Biology of Aggression in the Brain

Scientists, using a variety of techniques and experiments, have been able to explore the relationships between various parts of the body and aggression. It has then been suggested that neurotransmitters is a significant cause of aggressive behaviors, with some people found to lack a gene that produces enzymes called monoamine oxidase-a (MAOA). These enzymes break down significant transmitters in the brain and if the transmitters are not broken down, especially the serotonin, it will build up the serotonin level causing a person to act aggressive or have violent behaviors. We can only hope that over time we can locate the exact organic causes of these behaviors and understand these neurotransmitters and how they function. We must not dismiss aggressive or violent behaviors with a biological explanation because it really has a biological aspect to it.

Treatments for the Disorder

Most people with this mental disorder take prescribed drugs to prevent bipolar symptoms from reoccurring. Because there are unknown factors with this mental illness, lots of people will tell you that medication alone is usually not enough to fully control these aggressions showing as a bipolar symptom. Other treatment strategies for bipolar include a combination of bipolar medication, therapy, social support and lifestyle changes.

Bipolar Depression and Medication

The brain must maintain a delicate balance of neurochemicals within itself, if it rises high it causes mania and if it goes low – depression. But with a bipolar patient the brain cannot do its job correctly and the power to effectively regulate intense emotions. Bipolar medications are designed to change or alter the brain chemicals (neurochemicals) and so help bipolar patients manage their emotions and behaviors in their everyday life.

Combining Medicated Drugs

Because bipolar symptoms may show itself as mania, depression, hypomania or bipolar 2, most people being treated for bipolar disorder take three to four medications simultaneously. These combinations of prescribed medication are often essential to sufficiently treat the wide collection of problems seen in this mental illness.

Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants have been traditionally used to treat bipolar but it may not work very well, trigger a mania episode or increase mood cycling for bipolar victims. Because of the long term high risks it poses, this antidepressant medication should be combined with a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproic acid. Some mood stabilizers include: Lamictal, Seroquel, Zyprexa and Symbyax (a combination of olanzapine and antidepressant).

Ask for Help

It is important to manage your behaviors and your temper. There may be occasional outbursts, but if your aggressive behavior continues for more than several days, consult your mental health professional, it may be bipolar.