Bipolar Disorder: Taking Your Bipolar Medication

Bipolar medications are used to treat bipolar disorder.

If you have bipolar disorder, you will probably need medication. You may need it for the rest of your life. That can be hard to accept. Some people see medication as a crutch or a weakness; instead they want to get better on their own.

But you have to remember that bipolar disorder is a real medical illness. It's not something you can cure with willpower. Taking bipolar disorder medication is just like taking medication for high blood pressure or heart disease.

Medication can be like a pair of glasses. Bipolar disorder distorts your view of things; medication may allow you to see clearly again.

Finding the Right Bipolar Medication

Doctors use a number of medications to treat bipolar disorder. The most common are mood stabilizers like lithium and anticonvulsant medications. Many people who have bipolar disorder keep taking these medications for years or decades after their last mood swing to stay healthy. This is called maintenance therapy. During a period of depression or mania, you might need other medications, like antipsychotic drugs and sometimes antidepressants.

It's impossible to predict how well a particular bipolar medication will work for you. You may need to try several different kinds and different dosages. Getting the right medication or combination of medications can take some time. You can't expect to feel better overnight.

It can be frustrating, but don't give up. Eventually, you and your health-care provider should be able to find a prescription that works for you.

Medication Tips

Adopt good habits for taking your bipolar medication. Take it at the same time every day. It's easiest if you do it along with some other activity, like brushing your teeth, eating breakfast, or getting into bed. Getting a weekly pillbox can make it easy to see if you've missed a dose.

Be sure to talk to your pharmacist or doctor about the best time of day to take your bipolar medications. Some are best taken in the morning or at bedtime and others with meals or after meals.

For those rare occasions when you miss a dose, know what you should do. Ask your health-care provider. Don't assume that doubling up is a good idea.

Side Effects

The medications available to treat bipolar disorder aren't perfect. They can cause side effects that vary depending on which medications you use. These side effects can include:

• Nausea
• Tremors
• Hair loss
• Sexual problems
• Weight gain

Antidepressants can cause some people with bipolar disorder to shift into a manic episode. Because of this risk, your health-care provider will probably monitor you closely if you take these medicines.

Some medications can affect your liver function or white blood cell or platelet counts (which can lead to increased susceptibility to infection or bleeding), so you may need regular tests to make sure that you're staying healthy.

Many side effects will fade after a few weeks of treatment. If you're still having unpleasant problems after that, see your health-care provider. Don't assume you're just stuck with unwanted symptoms. Changing your dosage, adding another medicine to control the side effects, or trying a different medication altogether may help.