Treatments that make use of both medicines and psychosocial action are most effective for managing bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder in which one suffers from unpredictable mood swings that range from depressive symptoms to manic outbursts.

Bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, so lifelong preventive treatment is suggested. Bipolar disorder medicines help prevent worsening of mood swings and related symptoms. People with bipolar disorder usually need take a combination of several types of medicines.

The three most important types of bipolar disorder medicines include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Mood stabilizers are the primary treatment for the disorder. When mood stabilizer fails, antidepressants and anti-psychotic medicines are used to treat episodes of mania or depression.

Mood

stabilizers have two important functions. First, they provide release from acute attacks of mania and depression and prevent them from occurring again. Second, these medicines prevent worsening of depression and mania. Among the different types of mood stabilizers, the most commonly used are lithium and anticonvulsant medicines. Generally, people have to continue consumption of mood stabilizers for years after the last mood swing occurs.

Antidepressants are usually used together with a mood-stabilizing medication. They are helpful in curing symptoms of bipolar depression. There are several types of antidepressant medicines available. The most widely used among them are Bupropion (Wellbutrin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and Venlafaxine (Effexor).

Antipsychotic medicines are used to control psychotic signs such as hallucinations

and delusions. During the initial stages of the treatment, these medicines act as good sedatives for insomnia, anxiety, and agitation.

Bipolar disorder medicines are very powerful and can have side effects that differ depending on the types of drugs used. Common side effects include nausea, tremors, hair loss, sexual problems, and weight gain. It is hard to find a bipolar disorder medicine that works for everyone in the same way. Patients have to try several different kinds of medicines and different dosages in the beginning of treatment. [http://www.e-BipolarDisorder.com]Bipolar Disorder provides detailed information on Bipolar Disorder, Symptom of Bipolar Disorder, Teen Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Treatment and more. Bipolar Disorder is affiliated with [http://www.e-Bipolar.com]Bipolar Depression.