Mood stabilisers
Mood stabilising medication is often given to people with mood disorders, which aims to even out the highs and the lows of the mood
The information on this page and more can be found in our Mood Stabilisers factsheet.
There are a number of mood stabilisers used both to reduce mania and depression, and in the long-term stabilise acute mood swings.
Mood stabilisers are usually considered during an acute episode of mania or depression. Long-term treatment is considered after two or more acute episodes.
There are a number of different mood stabilisers.
- Lithium is widely used for the maintenance and treatment of mania. It reduces both the number and severity of relapses.
- Valproate is an anti-convulsant medication used in epilepsy. It is licensed to treat mania.
- Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication used in epilepsy. In the UK, it is licensed to treat bipolar disorder in people who do not respond to lithium.
- Lamotrigine is also an anti-convulsant medication used in epilepsy. In bipolar disorder, it may be used where depression is the main problem. It seems to be effective at preventing depressive relapse, but not so effective at preventing manic relapse.
Some of the newer, atypical antipsychotic medications also have mood stabilising properties. Olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole and risperidone, which are licensed to treat mania. You can find further information on antipsychotics in the Antipsychotics factsheet produced by the Rethink Advice and Information Service.
