-
Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Why are antipsychotics being used to treat bipolar disorder?
Related Topics
A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her psychiatrist has prescribed her with antipsychotic medication rather than a mood stabilizer. Why is this? -
Find a professional to answer your question
Find a professional to answer your question Search Now
-
1
Agree
4
Thanks
Leanne Hall
Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist
Integrative Psychologist, Health Coach & Personal Trainer in private practice. I have expertise in assessing and treating a range of disorders and conditions; depression, anxiety, … View Profile
Antipsychotics are prescribed for people with Bipolar I Disorder for a number of reasons. They work by blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine - which in people experiencing a manic episode, is signficantly high.
Certain antipsychotics can improve manic episodes quickly, especially if a person is experiencing delusions/hallucinations (which are common for both severe mania AND depression). As such, they are often prescribed in the short term - after which, mood stablizers are then prescribed.
Another reason they are prescribed is as a sedative, to manage insomnia or to manage symptoms of anxiety and/or agitation which are common symptoms experienced by people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
Finally, some of the newer antipsychotics also have mood stablising properties and are currently being used for people who are resistant to more traditional mood stablizing medications.Report this post
You must be a HealthShare member to report this post. to your account or now (it's free).
