Gaining Weight. Loosing Weight. Not Thinking Straight

Gaining weight. Loosing weight. Not thinking straight

Bipolar disorder, characterised by alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression, often requires treatment with mood stabilisers to manage symptoms and stabilise mood fluctuations. Mood stabilisers can include medications such as lithium, valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and others. While these medications are crucial for managing bipolar symptoms, they can have different effects on weight due to their mechanisms of action and individual responses. Lithium is a commonly prescribed mood stabiliser that can impact weight. It may cause weight gain in some individuals due to increased appetite and changes in metabolism. However, weight gain with lithium is often modest and manageable with lifestyle adjustments.

Some anticonvulsant medications used as mood stabilisers, such as valproate and carbamazepine, are associated with weight gain. They can affect appetite regulation and metabolic processes, leading to increased weight over time.

Lamotrigine is generally considered weight-neutral, meaning it does not typically cause significant weight gain or loss. This can be a favourable option for individuals concerned about medication-related weight changes.