How to treat bipolar disorder with mixed episodes?
Bipolar episodes accompanied by mixed features are usually a sign of a more serious condition. Poor response to treatment can also lead to more serious conditions.
No drug has been proven to treat mixed episodes. You can contact a mental health professional to help you prescribe a mixture of at least two drugs depending on the state of your condition. Do not use one antidepressant for therapy.
Your doctor may recommend combination therapy for bipolar disorder with mixed episodes. The following combination therapies help treat mixed episodes:
- Electroconvulsive therapy [7] (ECT)
- Atypical antipsychotics (one or more)
- Mood stabilizers, like newer anticonvulsants
ECT is used to relieve symptoms of mixed episodes when drugs are not effective.
Examples of atypical antipsychotics include:
- Olanzapine
- Lurasidone
- Ziprasidone
- Asenapine
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone
- Aripiprazole
Examples of mood stabilizers include:
- Lithium
- Gabapentin/pregabalin
- Divalproex sodium
- Lamotrigine
- Topiramate
- Carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine/eslicarbazepine