Which class is commonly used as mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder?

• A. MAOs
• B. SSRIs
• C. Mood stabilizers
• D. Antipsychotics

Answer: (C)

Mood stabilization in bipolar disorder relies on a class of medications whose main job is to prevent manic and depressive episodes and keep mood steady. The classic example is lithium, which lowers mania risk and has protective effects on suicidality. Other agents in this category include anticonvulsants such as valproate and carbamazepine, plus lamotrigine, which is particularly helpful for bipolar depression and maintenance. Antidepressants like MAO inhibitors and SSRIs are aimed at treating depressive symptoms, but in bipolar disorder they can trigger mania if used alone and are not viewed as mood stabilizers. Antipsychotics help manage acute mania and psychosis and some are used in combination with mood stabilizers, but they aren’t the primary class labeled as mood stabilizers. So the class commonly used to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder is mood stabilizers.