Mood Stabilizers
Definition
Mood stabilizers are a class of medications used in the treatment of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and depression. They work by reducing abnormal activity in the brain, helping to balance mood swings.
Analogy
Think of mood stabilizers like shock absorbers on a car. Just as shock absorbers help to smooth out the ride over bumps and dips, mood stabilizers help to even out emotional highs and lows.
Related terms
Lithium: A common type of mood stabilizer often used for treating bipolar disorder. It helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania.
Anticonvulsants: These are typically used to treat seizure disorders but can also act as mood stabilizers.
Bipolar Disorder: A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
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