Indication
The term mood stabilizer is used to describe any medication that reduces the frequency of intense mood shifts, or lability.
Types of Medication
Different types of medications are prescribed as mood stabilizers for people with BPD. Medications originally developed to treat seizures, called “anticonvulsants,” are commonly prescribed for their mood-stabilizing effects. Examples include:
Tegretol, Equetro (carbamazepine) Lamictal (lamotrigine) Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) Topamax (topiramate) Depakote (valproic acid, divalproex sodium)
Lithobid (lithium carbonate) is an anticonvulsant mood stabilizer that has been a mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder for years.
Effectiveness
Research is limited, but it does appear that mood stabilizers can treat some BPD symptoms effectively. The most-studied medication is lithium. Decades of research show that lithium is effective in reducing impulsivity and aggressiveness and has an anti-suicidal effect.
Risks and Side Effects
Risks and side effects of these medications can vary depending on the type of mood stabilizer you’re taking. For example, each anticonvulsant mood stabilizer has its own unique side effect profile. Lithium carbonate can cause gastrointestinal distress such as nausea and vomiting; weight gain; acne; tremors (shaking); and cognitive problems (for example, feeling that your thinking is slowed or fuzzy). Lithium can also affect your kidneys and thyroid gland, so blood tests are required to monitor their function while you’re taking this medication. Lithium can also be very toxic in high doses. Other possible side effects with anticonvulsants include gastrointestinal complaints, weight gain, rashes, fatigue, and dizziness. In addition, some of these medications carry a risk of rare but serious side effects.
Questions to Ask Your Psychiatrist
Talk to your psychiatrist about any concerns you have before you start taking a mood stabilizer for BPD. Make sure you understand the risks and side effects as well as the reason(s) you are being prescribed a particular medication. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
Which BPD symptoms do you expect this medication to affect?Are there particular risks or side effects I should watch for?How will this medication interact with other medications I’m taking?How long will I need to take this medication before I start to notice its effects?How long do you think I’ll need to be on this medication?
