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What is a good medication to take for bipolar disorder? |
What is a good medication to take for bipolar disorder? There are many good medications to treat bipolar disorder. Some my work well for one person and not so well for another. It's an individual kind of thing, people react differently to each medicine, just like each person is different. I am providing a link below that shows the common medications used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Personally, I take 20mg Paxil (generic version) in the am and 100mg Seroquel in the pm. They have worked very well for me, with no side effects except a slightly dry mouth. Hope I've been helpful! Sincerely, Terry Source(s): http://noetic.oathill.com/bipolar/newmed... For more information on bipolar disorder try this link to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar... lithium, it helps to stablise moods, but you will need frequent blood tests to make sure everything is ok My sister is Bi-Polar..She's on lithium, & Zoloft. The two lithium salts used for bipolar therapy are lithium carbonate (mostly) and lithium citrate (sometimes). Approved for the treatment of acute mania lithium has been an effective mood-stabilizing medication for many people with bipolar disorder. Lithium is also noted for reducing the risk of suicide. Although lithium is among the most effective mood stabilizers, persons taking it may experience side effects similar to the effects of ingesting too much table salt, such as high blood pressure, water retention, and constipation. Regular blood testing is required when taking lithium to determine the correct lithium levels since the therapeutic dose is close to the toxic dose. The mechanism of lithium salt treatment is believed to work as follows: some symptoms of bipolar disorder appear to be caused by the enzyme inositol monophosphatase (IMPase), an enzyme that splits inositol monophosphate into free inositol and phosphate. It is involved in signal transduction and is believed to create an imbalance in neurotransmitters in bipolar patients. The lithium ion is believed to produce a mood stabilizing effect by inhibiting IMPase by substituting for one of two magnesium ions in IMPase's active site, slowing down this enzyme. Lithium orotate is used as an alternative treatment to lithium carbonate by some individuals with bipolar disorder, mainly because it is available without a doctor's prescription. It is sometimes sold as "organic lithium" by nutritionists, as well as under a wide variety of brand names. There seems to be little evidence for its use in clinical treatment in preference to lithium carbonate. Individuals with bipolar disorder have complained that it is much weaker than lithium carbonate and, therefore, less effective. The newer atypical antipsychotic drugs such as risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine are often used in acutely manic patients, because these medications have a rapid onset of psychomotor inhibition, which may be lifesaving in the case of a violent or psychotic patient. Parenteral and orally disintegrating (in particular, Zydis wafers) forms are favoured in emergency room settings. These drugs can also be used as adjunctives to lithium or anticonvulsants in refractory bipolar disorder and in prevention of mania recurrence.Certain types of empirically supported psychotherapy, used in combination with medications, provides tremendous benefit in the treatment of the bipolar disorders. These include interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, family focused therapy, cognitive therapy, interpersonal group therapy and psychoeducation. Other therapies such as family systems therapy have not been tested with bipolar patients, but they may work. The individual should, however, start with those therapies and treatments which have been shown to work. Although medication and psychotherapy cannot cure the illness, therapy can often be invaluable in helping to address the effects of disruptive manic or depressive episodes that have hurt a patient's career, relationships or self-esteem. Therapy is available not only from psychiatrists but from social workers, psychologists and other licensed counselors. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is sometimes used to treat severe bipolar depression in cases where other treatments have failed. Although it has proved to be a highly effective treatment, doctors are reluctant to use it except as a treatment of last resort because of the side-effects and possible temporary memory loss complications of ECT, particularly when repeated treatments ("maintenance ECT") are needed. Omega-3 fatty acids may also be used as a treatment for bipolar disorder, particularly as a supplement to medication. An initial clinical trial by Stoll et. al. produced positive results attempts to confirm this finding of beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids in several larger double-blind clinical trials have produced inconclusive results at low doses. It was hypothesized that the therapeutic ingredient in omega-3 fatty acid preparations is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and that supplements should be high in this compound to be beneficial. Omega-3 fatty acids may be found in fish, fish oils, and to a lesser degree in other foods such as flaxseed, flaxseed oil and walnuts. Some researchers have found that only omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish products shows eficacy, whereas omega-3 fatty acids derived flaxseed oil or supplements are ineffecrtive. Complementary and/or non-Western treatments, such as acupuncture, meditation, yoga and orthomolecular therapy, are used by some people with bipolar disorder, and some research shows one, particularly yoga in mild bipolar depression, may have some scientific merit.[citation needed] However, further studies are needed to indicate which complementary therapies are effective and for what illnes type and for whom. over 20 yrs ago a one time visit to a friend's doctor got me a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and for 2 years i was on lithium, getting blood tests, feeling like a zombie. i was never comfortable with the label, the meds, the shakes, etc. the climate didn't help, so make sure you're not experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD - treatable by getting more sunlight) please have your diet evaluated since sugar and simple carbs wreak havoc on your moods, and weight, and self esteem. get exercise, hopefully something you enjoy. get sunshine every day. truly these things have made a difference in my life, along with fish oil and a good nights sleep. if your life has to include lithium or another pharmaceutical, be prepared to help your body through more healthy living as well. peace. Abilify is the new 'wonder drug' for this disorder |
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