Mood stabilizers may be useful in reducing the signs of anxiety and depression by stabilizing the emotions. The way they act is by regulating the brain chemicals, and thus avoiding the emotional fluctuations, irritability, or the feeling of sadness in depth. People with frequent worry, feeling restless because of worry or lack of energy, and being discouraged because of depression discover that mood stabilizers balance their mood.
Similarly, it helps people deal with stress more effectively and think more clearly. Combining mood stabilizers with therapy, healthy lifestyle choices, and frequent medical advice, individuals can see a dramatic increase in mental health rates and find it easier to deal with everyday difficulties and sustain an even mood.
What Are Mood Stabilizers?
Mood stabilizers are medications that are used to stabilize the mood which are stabilized. They are commonly applied to the treatment of disorders such as bipolar illness, where the mood of the person goes way up (mania) and then way down (depression). These medicines have the effect of dominating the brain activity that triggers the emotions, causing them to minimize the extreme mood swings. They do not always make you feel happy always but they make you stay in a more stable mood.
In addition, doctors can also prescribe mood stabilizers to aid in the relief of other mental illnesses, such as severe depression or mood swings that some ailments can cause. These medicines take some time to begin to work and must be regularly administered as per the prescription by the doctor. Thus, your doctor may adjust the dosage, and your frequent visits are needed to make sure that there is no issue with it.
Mood Stabilizers for Anger and Irritability
Anti-angry/irritable mood stabilizers are medicines employed to stabilize moods and feelings. They are used to tone down errant parts within the brain that can result in sudden outbursts or mood swings of wrath or aggression. The medications are administered to treat individuals with mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. Still, they may also be used as aids to individuals merely prone to anger or irritability as a sign of another mental condition. These do not drag you out of the feeling, but help you retain greater control over the responses.
Furthermore, on mood stabilizers, you can easily handle such stressful events since you are now able to avert temper tantrums. They will normalize the emotional balance and prevent your mood not to soaring so high and low throughout the day. As effective as these drugs may be, they also must be used in conjunction with other healthy maintenance, such as sleep, physical activity, and therapy. Hence, a physician would usually begin with a low dose and increase or decrease the dosage to come up with the best dose combination.
Mood Stabilizers for Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety mood stabilizers help smooth out your moods so that they do not 2swing too far. They are most commonly employed in treating bipolar disorder. However, they can also be used in depression and anxiety, where one lapses into a mood swing and becomes emotionally over-reactive in a very short span of time.
Additionally, they are medications that put a balance on the brain chemicals that control your moods, which means you can cope with stressful situations more and remain calm.
Mood stabilizers that can be prescribed during treatment of anxiety and depression include:
- Lithium – commonly used to regulate mood swings and prevent conditions of depression or mania.
- Lamotrigine – useful in the prophylaxis of depressive episodes, which are more frequent in bipolar disease.
- Valproate – may assist in the improvement of mood shift and also address anxiety symptoms.
- Emotional instability can be treated in some of the victims through the use of carbamazepine.
- Unusual antipsychotics are employed as mood stabilizers in anxiety as well as depression.
Types Of Mood Stabilizers
1. Lithium
Lithium is one of the earliest mood stabilizers, and it is one of the most effective agents of mood stabilization in the prevention of depressive episodes and manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It is active through the balancing of brain chemicals that regulate emotions. Periodic monitoring of safe levels in the body through blood tests is required. It requires some weeks to have its full effects. A physician may prescribe it to manage mood over an extended period of time.
2. Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants such as valproate, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine were originally developed to treat seizures but have mood-stabilizing effects as well. They also help to curb overactive brain activity that may result in emotional swings. These types of medicines are commonly used in lithium cases when it is not appropriate. Everyone is different, and thus doctors select according to the symptoms and other medical history. This has to be monitored to prevent side effects.
3. Atypical Antipsychotics
Drugs such as quetiapine, olanzapine, and aripiprazole may help with mood stabilization in bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, they act by regulating dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Moreover, they are frequently employed along with other mood stabilizers to enhance their effects. However, they are capable of assisting with manic and depressive symptoms. Dosage is according to the requirements and tolerance of individuals.
Mood Stabilizers Vs Antidepressants
| Mood Stabilizers | Antidepressants |
| Balance extreme mood swings, prevent highs and lows | Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety |
| Bipolar disorder, anger, irritability, mood swings | Depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD |
| Regulate brain chemicals to keep a stable mood | Increase levels of mood-related chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine |
| Lithium, Valproate, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine | SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Sertraline), SNRIs (Venlafaxine), Tricyclics |
| Prevents extreme emotional ups and downs | Lifts low mood and reduces sadness |
List of Best Mood Stabilizers
Here are some of the most recommended and popular mood stabilizers, commonly prescribed in conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and similar:
- Lithium- It is considered to be the oldest and most resourceful mood stabilizer that prevents the occurrence of mania and depressive spells.
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal) – when used preventively, this has few side effects in many patients.
- Divalproex Sodium (Depakote) -Effective in controlling mania and mood swings.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol) -Avails a hand in controlling the moods of those who do not respond to other drugs.
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) -This is like carbamazepine but may have fewer side effects in some.
Common Mood Stabilizers
The most common mood stabilizers include medicines, and they have the capability of stabilizing mood swings. They are mostly used in situations involving bipolar disorders, depression, and anxiety when there is an acute alteration in mood.
Common mood stabilizers include:
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Divalproex Sodium potassium (Depakote)
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Mood Stabilizers Side Effects
The following are side effects of mood stabilizers in point form:
- Sleepiness or tiredness
- Wooziness or lightheadedness
- Weight gain
- Nausea or indigestion
- Hand tremors
- Alteration of appetites
- Blurred vision
- Digestive problems
- Kidney or thyroid dysfunction
- Requires frequent blood tests
Closing Remarks
Mood stabilizers are very useful in eliminating anxiety by maintaining the level of highs and lows. They assist in an even distribution of brain chemicals, thereby making it easier to remain calm and think normally under a stressful state. Mood stabilizers may curb nervousness, irritability, or restlessness when they occur in someone who has had mood swings combined with feelings of anxiousness.
Similarly, by making their emotional state stable, they will be able to reduce excessive thinking and resist their physical symptoms, which include an increase in heart rate or tense muscles. When prescribed, together with therapy and a package of healthy daily habits, mood stabilizers can do a lot to improve general mental health and help people cope with everyday life. Stay connected with Mental Behavioral for more information and valuable insights.
FAQs
Are mood stabilizers used for anxiety?
Yes, mood stabilizers are the medications that can aid in the control of anxiety, especially when the latter appears with mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or frequent irritability.
Can mood stabilizers treat anxiety?
Yes, they can facilitate in diminishing anxiety in situations where there is anxiety connected with mood disorders.
What is the most commonly used mood stabilizer?
Lithium is the most common mood stabilizer. It is prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, and it helps reduce extreme mood swings. Lithium balances brain chemicals, stabilizing emotions and reducing irritability and anger.
What is the on-convergence rate of mood stabilizers?
In mood stabilizers, effects are usually displayed after a few weeks. Some individuals can see the changes in a shorter period; nevertheless, it usually takes a long time to use it regularly.
Do mood stabilizers have side effects?
Mood stabilizers may have side effects on some people. The usual ones are dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, or thirst. The majority of the side effects will also get better as the body adjusts, but you should consult your doctor about any of your fears.
