- Bipolar patients should never take antidepressants without other drugs such as mood stabilizers, according to Dr. Leland Heller, a Florida physician who treats mental disorders including bipolar. However, drugs such as Prozac can help minimize depressive symptoms and the risk of suicide.
- Mood stabilizers are an important part of treating people with bipolar, because it helps chemically level out moods and create a more even state of mind, according to Heller. Common choices, which often require regular blood tests, include lithium and Tegretol.
- When bipolar is accompanied by delusions, self-harm, and psychosis, daily anti-psychotic use is important, according to Heller. Drugs such as Risperdal and Seroquel work in the brain to stop bipolar patients and others with serious mental illnesses from behaving impulsively or recklessly.
- Because of the expense of anti-psychotics and possible side effects on the brain, some bipolar patients will receive as-needed anti-psychotics. Drugs such as Haldol and Risperdal can be used to prevent an oncoming crisis or manic episode as needed, according to Heller.
- Sedatives such as Klonopin or Ativan may help bipolar people who are having anxiety and sleep difficulties, according to Heller. However, prescribing these drugs can be risky and is not done often because bipolar patients are at a higher risk for abusing sedatives and other narcotics.
next post