Medication
Medication is often part of bipolar treatment plans since it can help relieve symptoms. However, medication alone is not a cure for bipolar disorder. A mental health care provider may use medication to reduce symptoms of bipolar depression and mania, but the child should still see a counselor regularly to address the underlying issue.
As with any new medication, talk with your clinician about any potential side effects; always follow up with the child’s doctor after taking the new medication.
Different types of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder, including mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics. Some medications address manic symptoms or depressive symptoms, while others minimize the severity of mood swings. According to WebMD, the following medications may be prescribed for bipolar disorder:
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- Lithium (mood stabilizer)
- Carbamazepine (mood stabilizer)
- Lamotrigine (mood stabilizer)
- Olanzapine (antipsychotic)
- Risperidone (antipsychotic)
- Aripiprazole (antipsychotic)
- Ziprasidone (antipsychotic)
The FDA has approved a few antidepressants to be used for bipolar disorder treatment. These medications include lumateperone, quetiapine fumarate, lurasidone (Latuda), and fluoxetine (when combined with olanzapine). A double-blind randomized controlled trial studied the effects and risks of antidepressants for at-risk youth.