Bipolar disorder is a psychological illness in which regulation of mood is impaired. This collection of articles covers the highs, lows and medications that moderate.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, formerly DSM classified as manic depression, is a psychological mood disorder. Those afflicted have an impaired ability to regulate their mood and are prone both to the depths of major clinical depression and head-spinning manic highs.

These aren’t the typical ups and downs that everyone goes through. The mood swings of bipolar disorder extend far beyond the norm. Left untreated, this mental illness can profoundly affect a patient’s quality of life; destroying relationships, resulting in unemployment, financial ruin and even suicide.

Bipolar Mood Stabilizing Medications

Lithium was the first effective drug therapy used to treat bipolar patients. In the 1980s and 1990s some anticonvulsants were found to also be effective in stabilizing the mood of bipolar patients, reducing the extremes of emotional highs and lows of this patient population. More recently atypical antipsychotic drugs are being used to treat bipolar disorder and appear to be particularly helpful for controlling the episodes of acutely manic patients.

Bipolar Disorder Article Quick Links

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder: The Signs of Manic Depression Mood Disorder

Destructive and extreme emotional changes? Mood swings that seem bipolar, or of two opposite extremes? This article covers some of the clinical symptoms of this mood disorder.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Mania: Signs of Abnormally Elevated Mood Associated with Manic Depression

Mania isn't the same as being in a really great mood. This abnormally elevated emotional state can include racing thoughts, pressured speech, and extreme irritability. Learn more about the specific characteristics of these emotional rollercoaster highs.

Symptoms of Bipolar Depression: The Dark Side of Manic Depressive Mood Disorder

Most people who have bipolar disorder suffer both with episodes of mania and episodes of depression. Bipolar depression is major clinical depression. This article covers some of the characteristic symptoms.

Mood Disorder Bipolar Medications: Lithium, Anticonvulsants and Atypical Antipsychotics

Manic depression has undergone a name change and a proliferation of new pharmaceutical treatment options since Lithium. This article provides a summary of some of the mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder, including anticonvulsants and atypical antipsychotics.

Antidepressants & Bipolar Disorder: Do Drugs for Depression Help with Manic Depression?

A new study suggests that, for those with Bipolar Disorder, antidepressants may not be a useful addition to the mood stabilizing drug regimen.

Bipolar Information & Resources

For more information on manic depressive disorder see the psychology website Psychology Prof Online and the Mayo Clinic's Bipolar Disorder Information.

This article is only meant to provide information on the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder and some of the medications used to regulate this mood disorder. It is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis. Only a trained mental-health professional can diagnose and treat mental illnesses.

Additional Sources

Ramirez Basco, Monica (2006). The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings. Guilford Press.

Mondimore, Francis Mark (1999). Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients & Families. Johns Hopkins Press.