Treating bipolar disorder during pregnancy can be a tricky path to undergo. While the doctor does not want to prescribe a medication that could potentially result in a malformed fetus, neither does he want to allow the pregnant bipolar patient to suffer a relapse due to lack of proper medication.
Most psychotropic medications that are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder contain teratogens. Teratogens are harmful pathogens that could negatively affect a child’s development. On the hand, untreated depression or mania during pregnancy has been scientifically linked to low birth weight, early pre term delivery, and dangerous, high risk activities on the part of the bipolar mother that could endanger her or the baby.
There are three primary mood stabilizers that the FDA recommends for bipolar women who are experiencing pregnancy: lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine. All three of these drugs are classified “D”, which means that there is some risk of exposure to teratogens for the fetus; however, the benefits outweigh the risks.
These drugs are primarily thought to increase the fetus’s chances of incurring heart valve damage; however, it is thought this class of drugs will not affect a fetus’s mental development. Another option that a doctor has for treating bipolar disorder during pregnancy is to employ the use of antipsychotics. These Class “C” drugs are often used to treat mania of women because of their sedative properties.
Although they are considered milder than Class D drugs, fetal risk of exposure to teratogens cannot be ruled out. Antidepressants are often used for those with bipolar disorder who lapse into depression during pregnancy. However, because antidepressants do not contain teratogens, they are thought to be significantly safer for a fetus than Class C or D drugs.
A pregnant bipolar patient should consult her doctor for an individualized treatment plan for treating bipolar disorder during pregnancy.
One book that will be helpful for bipolar expectant mothers is Bipolar and Pregnant: How to Manage and Succeed in Planning and Parenting While Living with Manic Depression.
A bipolar mood swing chart is a chart that allows an individual to record information on an individual’s mood, average nightly amount of sleep, and their medications.
Many psychiatrists and psychologists recommend that their patients maintain bipolar mood charts in order to track the severity and frequency of their episodes or to track how effectively a medication is working for an individual. It also allows a person to track, identify, and detect mood swings early on. The first step in creating this mood charting, an individual should begin by starting a journal. Their entries should describe their energy levels and mood status daily. However, a person can also effectively use a wall calendar if they do not wish to record each minute detail.
Quick and accurate notes on a calendar will suffice. Other information that should be included in the journal is a person’s stress levels, their moods, any possible feelings of depressions, and what medications they have taken that day.
A bipolar mood chart should also record a person’s sleeping patterns. An adequate amount of sleep is an essential component of combating bipolar disorder. The amount of hours that a person sleeps a night should be noted, as well as any feelings of sleepiness or crankiness a person feels before going to sleep or upon waking up.
At the end of the month, an individual should write down their monthly numbers for overall moods. Other physical details, such as a person’s weight, should also be written down. Extreme fluctuations in weight and other physical characteristics can be indicative of developing problems. A person should also look at their progress each month. If disturbing patterns or trends are emerging, then he or she should consult their primary care physician immediately. Their doctor will be able to analyze the data further and devise an appropriate course of action.
Bipolar patients may be prescribed at one point or another chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline tablets. Chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline can be beneficial to some with bipolar disorder because the drugs treat anxiety and depression.
What is chlordiazepoxide? What is amitriptyline? Amitriptyline falls under the category of tricyclic antidepressants drugs. Chlordiazepoxide, the generic for librium, is under the category of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Here are some benefits and side effects of librium, chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline.
Benefits
Amitriptyline hydrochloride helps balance out chemicals in the brain. This is beneficial to bipolar patients with chemical imbalance.
Chlordiazepoxide also balances chemicals in the brain. It addresses a root cause of anxiety and tension in some bipolar disorder patients.
Both drugs are combined in tablet form. This makes it easy for patients to receive this combination drug.
Side effects
Chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline can cause a number of side effects including allergic reaction, facial swelling and hives.
Less serious side effects are dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision and constipation.
Serious side effects are pounding or uneven heart rate, chest pain, sweating, nausea, headache and weakness.
There are other side effects that can occur from taking chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline. Get medical help if you experience any of these side effect symptoms.
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when treating your bipolar disorder is choosing a therapist or psychiatrist to consult with as your mental health provider. For the best possible outcome for your mental health, be careful to choose a doctor that fits your needs.
Here is how you can choose what mental health provider(s) you’ll need to best treat your bipolar disorder.
There are a number of different types of mental health providers you can choose to visit. You could see a therapist, a psychologist or a psychiatrist. The type you choose depends on you and your therapy and medication needs.
When choosing the type of mental health provider you need and when, take a look at your symptoms, your health insurance coverage and if you need medication for your bipolar disorder, which you most likely will as you can experience mood swings ongoing.
Psychiatrist for treating bipolar disorder. If you have bipolar disorder, you will have to stabilize your moods with medication. A psychiatric can talk with you about the types of bipolar medications you’ll need to keep your mood disorder in check. A psychiatrist can adjust your bipolar medication dosages accordingly.
Therapist / Psychologist for treating bipolar disorder. A therapist or psychologist is beneficial for a person with bipolar disorder that needs to discuss problems and situations going on in their every day life, such as work, family and marriage issues. These mental health providers help to get to the root of issues and provide new ways of looking at things. Family and marriage counseling can include the family of the bipolar patient.
Combination of both for bipolar therapy. Some people with bipolar disorder regular see both a psychiatrist and psychologist to meet their mental health needs. The way you schedule your appointments depends on your specific needs and the frequency you feel you need bipolar disorder therapy.
Even if you don’t know at the beginning what type of mental health team you’ll need for your bipolar disorder therapy, you’ll find out what works for you along the way.
Continue reading about Types of Mental Health Providers for Treating and Managing Bipolar Disorder
A List of Seroquel Side Effects
It’s been several years since the mood stabilizer drug Seroquel, Quetiapine Fumarate, has been approved to treat bipolar disorder. What is Seroquel? It’s an antipsychotic that treats depressive and manic bipolar episodes.
Seroquel offers long term maintenance of the mood disorder and is used alongside drugs such as lithium, which is discussed in the article The Pros, Cons and Side Effects of Lithium to Treat Bipolar Disorder.
If you are considering using Seroquel to manage and treat your bipolar moods, take a look at this list. You’ll learn about the positive and negative side effects of using the medication Seroquel to treat bipolar disorder.
Positive side effects
1. Treats both highs and lows of bipolar. The good thing about Seroquel is that is used to manage both bipolar disorder depression and bipolar disorder mania. As a mood stabilizer a bipolar person can get a handle on both ends of the spectrum.
2. Better mood and overall sense of well being. Patients that take Seroquel see the benefits of more sleep, less sadness and better judgment. Seroquel can help a bipolar person feel more in control over how they feel.
3. Taken once a day. While one may not personally desire taking medication daily, Seroquel is only taken once each day. Each dose comes in tablet form.
Negative side effects
1. It can take several weeks to work. Bipolar patients are urged to be patient when starting Seroquel medication as it can take several weeks to fully stabilizer a person.
2. Seroquel has some common negative side effects. These side effects are dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
3. Could increase cholesterol. Some bipolar patients taking Seroquel have reported a rise in cholesterol levels, triglycerides as well as weight gain.
4. Seroquel can lead to high blood pressure. Some have reported high blood sugar and diabetes with Seroquel XR, Seroquel and similar medications. Bipolar patients with diabetes, risk of diabetes and obesity should ask that a doctor check blood sugar levels before starting treatment with Seroquel. Some symptoms to look for regarding high blood sugar or diabetes are excessive thirst or hunger, weakness, increased urination.
There are rare, but potentially fatal side effects. Things to look for are high fever, sweating, change in heart rate or pulse as well as confusion and shaking. Muscle pain can also occur.
As with any bipolar disorder medication, consult your doctor if you are experiencing any of these negative Seroquel side effects.