how do medications for bi-polar disorder work?

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To be honest about it, medical science isn't quite sure the exact mechanism of how most psychotropic drugs work. Largely they are identified based on the areas and neurotransmitters of the brain that are believe to be associated with a particular disorder and the drugs ability to impact those areas/neurotransmitters. For Bipolar Disorder, the types of medication that you're generally going to be prescribed are Mood Stabilizers, Anti-Depressants, and occassionally Anti-Psychotics. Mood stabilizers are traditionally anti-seizure medications (Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol) that were discovered to have properties for decreasing and preventing manic episodes.and even some properties for decreasing/preventing depressive episodes. There are newer drugs being used for mood stabilization as well, such as Lamictal. The bottom line on all of these is that they have to reach a certain level in your blood system before they can be considered to be within therapeutic range. You'll need to follow-up with your doctor on a periodic basis to have the level checked because it can cause problems if the level goes too high. Antidepressants generally target serotonin and norepinephirine receptors in the brain and work to increase the amounts of these neurotransmitters. Most of the ones prescribed today are called SSRIs and can take anywhere between 14 and 28 days before you'll see full therapuetic effects. Antipsychotics are used when people have extreme episodes that involve some form of psychosis or when they're having particular difficulty stabilizing. These drugs usually target dopamine receptors in the brain and work to increase the levels of that neurotransmitter. They also tend to have a sedative effect which will help people in manic phases stabilize a little faster.

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Mine work fine, I guess, I don't know. where were we, what were we talking about .. dang there I go again I was going to say something but I frogot, Oh well see you later!

In my experience they don't. They just make you feel like you live in an emotional coma. It's better to deal with things yourself if you can. Chemical inbalance, mood swings,excessive sleeping,unexplainable out bursh,crying,sadness,freguent and head headaches, perscription meds calm all theses systoms.
Serenity is a non perscription safe mood manager, dosen't lower energy levels,has no side effects and is non addictive and non toxic.

i have been on lithium for 2 weeks now and it still hasnt fully kicked in

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how do medications for bi-polar disorder work?

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