Mood stabilizers are the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, working behind the scenes to regulate emotional highs and lows and prevent disruptive mood episodes. This emotional balance team includes medications like lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine—each with its own unique mechanism of action and monitoring needs. They help reduce mania, stabilize depressive symptoms, and promote long-term mood stability.
This section guides psychiatric NPs through the practical application of mood stabilizers—when to initiate them, how to titrate effectively, and what side effects or toxicities to watch for. From first-line agents to combination strategies, this tool ensures you’re equipped to manage even the most unpredictable mood swings with evidence-based confidence.