What medications are prescribed for Bipolar Disorder?

Question

...and how do they do a proper diagnosis?

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed by very in-depth interviews with the patient as well as a family member and/or close friend.  The information asked is about specific incidents and behaviors throughout your life.  I was diagnosed three years ago.  Since I had already diagnosed myself, I looked up the symptoms of bipolar, wrote down examples of each symptom from my own life, and took the list to the doctor.  It's also really important to be painfully honest so that the diagnosis can be accurate.  There are lots of medications, and each patient is different...with medications themselves, and with the combinations required (most people with bipolar are on more than one medication).  I take Lamotrigine (Lamictal), Seroquel, Prozac and Clonazepam, but it took months of trial and error to come up with the right combination and the right dosages.  And they still have to be tweaked every now and then.  Good luck.  :)

Answer 2

I assume that you are asking how a mental health professional does a proper  diagnosis.  They are the ones who are trained to do it properly.  

When it comes to mental health issues, especially one like bipolar disorder, it is best not to rely on self-diagnosis, the anecdotal advice of friends or family, and especially not one off the internet.  Only a one-on-one evaluation can determine exactly what a person needs and what, if any, medication works best.  

A psychiatrist is best qualified to prescribe pysch meds because they will know what works best for an individual.  They will also know what possible side effects and reactions can occur.

There are several good meds out there for bipolar.  I found out the hard way that antidepressant only can help.  They tend to drive the patient into a more manic state.

  

I have been on Valium and Ativan.  I don't recommend them.  They just cover the symptoms and don't really help.  They were prescribed for me by a family physician who really didn't do a good evaluation and diagnosis of my problem.

  

Mood stablizers help me control my bipolar.  I have been on Lexapro,  risperdal, and trileptal.  The Lexapro really ballooned my weight.  It did, however, help my bipolar.  Risperdal and trileptal were also very helpful, but didn't quite do the trick.  

I was then placed on Abilify which really worked well.  It, too, though, had some side effects that I didn't like.  It would take me down when manic but would let me drop too far back into depression.  It also slowed my thinking dramatically, not just controlling my racing thoughts.

I am now on Lamictal.  For me, this has been a  wonder drug.  It keeps my mood stable without throwing me into depressive episodes.  There have not been any weight problems or anyother side effects.

By all means, talk with  you psychiatrist.  I am only telling you what has worked and what is working for me.  You may be different and probably are.  

Do like I do and be very communicative with your psychiatrist.  I ask lots of questions especially when they want to change meds.  I let them know  my feelings and about any problems that I think I may be having due to my medication.

By the way, are you in counseling?  Medication can only do  so much.  It balances any brain chemistry that may affect you.  However, counseling always compliments treatment,  whether taking meds or not.

For me, talking (praying) to God and meditation has really helped my disorder.  You may not be a religous person.  I am just saying this is what has worked for me.  In fact, my counselor uses my deep and abiding faith in God in untangling any "wacky" thinking I have.

God bless. Go with the grace of God.