Guide To The Side Effects Of Mood Stabilizers

Mood stabilizers are a class of medications typically used to treat bipolar disorder. Many of them have additional uses in other mental and physical health disorders, but the alternative usage varies depending on the medication. In bipolar disorder, a patient experiences extreme highs and extreme lows. The highs are called mania, and the lows are called depression. Mood stabilizers are one of the most important treatments for bipolar disorder. They curb the highs and lows to help a patient's mood reach an equilibrium. Many of the first-line medications used for major depressive disorder can make bipolar disorder worse. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can cause a bipolar disorder patient to rapid cycle through moods unless they have a mood stabilizer alongside the medication.