La bipolarity, it's a bit like a winding and unpredictable mountain road. That is why the treatment is complicated and requires different tools. Imagine that medications in bipolarity are like the brakes in your car: they are essential for managing the most difficult turns, but are not Not the only solution to drive safely.
The use of Medications in bipolarity, it's like learning to use these brakes. We will help you understand how they work so that you can live more peacefully with bipolarity.
Les thymoregulators are medications that help manage bipolar disorder. They affect certain hormones in our body, thyroid hormones, which are very important for our mood, energy, and how our bodies use energy. If these hormones are not well balanced, it can lead to symptoms of depression or excitement, which are commonly seen in people with bipolar disorders.
A drug like levothyroxine can help restore this balance by adding thyroid hormones if they're lacking, or by stopping the body from making too many of them. These medications may help control periods of depression and excitement, but they are only part of the treatment.
In addition to mood regulators, there are also medications called atypical neuroleptics. These are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and may help control symptoms.
However, these drugs should be used in combination with other types of treatment, like psychotherapy. It is very important.
It is also important to understand that neither mood regulators nor atypical neuroleptics are quick fixes. They don't work for everyone and can sometimes cause side effects that aren't pleasant. That's why it's essential to talk to your doctor to find the treatment that's best for you.
Imagine a medicine as a specialized tool. It's designed to do something specific in your body, such as relieving pain, fighting an infection, or controlling your blood pressure. That's what we call themain effect Or thetherapeutic effect of the medication, i.e. the effect you want to achieve.
However, a drug does not act perfectly selectively. In addition to the main effect, it can have other effects on your body. These other effects are called”side effects“.
Let's take the example of a cat that you invited into your house to hunt mice. The cat does its main job well - chasing mice - but it can also do other things, such as scratching furniture or dropping objects. These are the “side effects” of having a cat in your home.
In the same way, medications can cause side effects Who can be lightweight (such as drowsiness or stomachaches), but sometimes they can be Graves (such as allergic reactions or heart problems). That's why it's important to always discuss the possible side effects of a medication with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking it.
Discover our podcast episode on”Bipolar speech“who talks about the different classes of medications to treat bipolar disorders.
Lithium salt is one of the most common mood regulators used to treat bipolarity. It works by regulating the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, thereby stabilizing mood. However, it can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and excessive thirst. It is the medication that has historically had the best results in the long term, being effective in the prevention of manic and depressive episodes. However, it requires regular monitoring of blood levels to avoid toxicity.
Lamotrigine is another mood regulator used to treat bipolarity. It is primarily used to prevent depressive episodes in type II bipolar individuals, but it is less effective in treating acute manic episodes.
Prevention: Allergy to lamotrigine can cause skin rashes that cause serious damage, sometimes resulting in death. However, these cases remain very rare. The appearance of these rashes is often visible during the first two months of treatment. If you have any doubts, contact a doctor IMMEDIATELY.
Lamotrigine is a medication used to:
In the context of epilepsy, lamotrigine inhibits the release of glutamate in the brain (a substance involved in triggering epileptic seizures). With regard to the treatment of bipolar people, its mechanism of action is poorly understood.
Valproate is another mood regulator that is commonly used to treat bipolarity. It also regulates the levels of certain chemicals in the brain to stabilize mood. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, and drowsiness.
Olanzapine is an atypical mood regulator used to treat bipolarity. It works in the same way as other mood regulators by regulating certain chemicals in the brain. Common side effects include weight gain, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Other thymoregulatory medications, such as carbamazepine, acetylleucine, haloperidol, and risperidone, are also used to treat bipolarity. Each of these medications has different side effects and may be more effective for some people than others.
It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that there may be other mood control medications available. Additionally, these medications can also be used to treat other mental disorders, and their specific use for bipolar disorder may vary.
These medications are like superheroes for those with bipolar disorders. The first superhero of this genre was lithium, discovered by an Australian doctor called John Cade in 1949. Since then, other superheroes have joined the team.
For example, there are the IRSN, which are like guardians of serotonin and noradrenaline, two chemicals in the brain. Les IMAO are inhibitors of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down certain chemicals in the brain. Les NARD are dopamine and norepinephrine receptor antagonists, they block the action of these substances. Les BZD act on benzodiazepine receptors, and CBD act on cannabinoid receptors.
Bipolar treatment: These medications all have different superpowers and can be used alone or in teams to help manage bipolar disorders.
Atypical neuroleptics, also called atypical antipsychotics, are a class of medications that are commonly used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders, including manic episodes. Some of these medications may also be used to prevent the recurrence of bipolar disorders.
There are also other medications, this list is not exhaustive.
Explore the detailed drug sheets of the PIC network to learn more about the subject.
Because of continued advancements in medical research, new drugs are being developed and tested. These new drugs promise to offer new options for treating bipolarity, with the hope of improving the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce side effects.
In addition, the research also focuses on the personalization of treatment for each patient. By better understanding how individual genetic variations may influence the response to treatment, it is hoped that treatments can be adapted more precisely for each individual.
The idea is that we can use measures (biomarkers) like blood pressure, the heart rate or the levels of certain substances (which may indicate how much you Sleep Or how much you Bouges) to see how your bipolarity evolves and adapt your treatment as a result. But, it should be understood that these tools, even if they are useful, are not a Magic wand to cure bipolarity.
I want to underline the importance of discipline And of the understanding when it comes to managing your medications. First of all, the regularity is crucial. Take your medication at the same time each day, making sure to maintain a range of 2 hours before or after the scheduled time. For example, if your usual time is 8 am, taking between 6 am and 10 am is acceptable, but try to avoid delaying the shot until noon.
It is also essential to know the specifics of your medication. Some can be split or ground, while others need to be taken intact. Likewise, you should be aware of possible interactions with other medications, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, as well as certain foods.
In addition, if you are considering pregnancy, discuss it with your psychiatrist, as this may require you to adjust your treatment.
If you forget to take a dose, do not automatically compensate with a double dose the next day. While this may be acceptable for some medications, it's not a universal rule. If you miss a dose, it is often best to Skip this plug rather than taking it later in the day and continuing normally the next day.
Finally, never forget that the drug treatment for bipolarity is a personal trip. Remain in close communication with your psychiatrist to make sure your treatment is as effective and safe as possible.
Your psychiatrist is there to help you find the treatment that is best for you. So don't hesitate to tell him about your worries compared to side effects, of your medical history, how do you senses currently, and of all questions that go through your head. With internet, things have changed. Patients now have access to more thaninformations and can therefore participate intensively to their care.
In short, Medications in bipolarity play an essential role in the treatment of bipolarity. While not a solution for all patients, they have helped many people manage their symptoms and to lead a more balanced life.
It is important to understand that in order to treat bipolarity, a multi-level approach is generally needed. We are talking about medications, psychotherapy (that is, talk therapy) and to change certain lifestyle habits, peer support. What will work for you will depend on your specific needs, and this is something to discuss with a health professional.
And one last thing, we have made great progress in the treatment of bipolarity thanks to thymoregulators (these are medications that help stabilize mood). But the research doesn't end there. We continue to look for new treatments and to improve what we already have. So it's good news for the future of bipolarity treatment and for anyone living with this condition.
Feel free to share this article if you find it useful. Together, we can help those dealing with bipolarity. And above all, talk to your doctor.
