Understanding Mood Stabilisers
Though technically different, mood stabilising medicines share a common goal: they help balance mood swings, especially extreme highs and lows.
They’re commonly used for:
- Bipolar disorder
- Manic or hypomanic episodes
- Severe, ongoing depression or schizoaffective disorder in some cases
The Different Kinds
There are three main types of mood stabilisers:
- Lithium
- Anticonvulsants
- Antipsychotics
Each group includes different medicines, and some may be known by several brand names.
Lithium as a Mood Stabiliser
Lithium is one of the oldest and most widely used mood stabilisers, especially for bipolar disorder. It comes in forms like:
- Lithium carbonate (Camcolit, Priadel, Liskonum)
- Lithium citrate (Li-liquid, Priadel)
Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilisers
Some anticonvulsants — medicines originally used for epilepsy — can also help stabilise mood. These include:
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Valproate (Depakote, Epilim)
Antipsychotic Mood Stabilisers
Some antipsychotics are also used for mood stabilisation, particularly in bipolar disorder, following NICE guidelines.
These include:
- Haloperidol (various brands)
- Olanzapine (various brands)
- Quetiapine (various brands)
- Risperidone (various brands)
- Asenapine is also sometimes used for treating mania.
Criteria for Mood Stabiliser Prescription
Doctors look at your diagnosis, past medicines, current health, and what you want from treatment before prescribing a mood stabiliser.
Who Can Prescribe Mood Stabilisers?
GPs or specialists like psychiatrists usually prescribe these medicines and monitor your treatment.
May I Need Additional Medication?
Sometimes a mood stabiliser is combined with other medicines like certain antidepressants or benzodiazepines if your symptoms need extra support.