Understanding Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are medications primarily used to treat mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. These drugs help to balance mood swings, preventing episodes of mania and depression. Common mood stabilizers include lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine. Lithium has been a cornerstone in the treatment of bipolar disorder for decades and is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of manic episodes. Valproate and carbamazepine are anticonvulsants that also have mood-stabilizing properties. Each medication works through different mechanisms, such as altering neurotransmitter levels and affecting ion channels in the brain.