Treatments

When hypomania is not causing unhealthy behavior, normally it goes unnoticed and remains untreated. However, when the person is experiencing full mania, it affects how the person functions and needs immediate medication and hospitalization. Overtime, medication can balance out mood swings over a long period of time, preventing hypomania and episodes of depression.

Lithium – has been used for more than sixty year in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium is increasingly effective in the treatment of mood swings, especially in controlling the highs. However, Lithium is best used in long-term treatment. Also, lithium levels in the blood must be monitored and laboratory tests of the kidneys and thyroids must be performed to avoid any possible side effects.

Mood Stabilizers

Lamictal – has been approved by the FDA to treat bipolar disorder. Lamictal helps with bouts of depression and hypomania, as well as mixed episodes during therapy. It also helps to prevent relapses in patients.

Depakote – is an anti-seizure drug. Depakote levels out moods and can also be used for prevention. Depakote works more rapidly than Lithium.

Other mood stabilizers used in the treatment of bipolar disorder include Trileptal and Tegretol.

Tranquillizers

Benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, and Valium) are used short-term to control acute symptoms of hypomania, including insomnia and agitation. These drugs are classified as minor tranquillizers.

Seroquel and Seroquel XR are the only two anti-depressants approved by the FDA to treat bipolar II disorder. However, doctors have often prescribed anti-depressants like Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft to treat bipolar II. They are less likely to cause or worsen hypomania symptoms found in bipolar I disorder.

Anti-Depressants

Anti-Psychotics

Hypomanic episodes in bipolar II do not involve psychosis because they do not interfere with the person’s ability to function. However, sometimes anti-psychotic drugs like Abilify, Risperdal, and Seroquel are used to treat hypomania. Notably, Seroquel is used to treat depression in bipolar II disorder.

Sources

"Bipolar I Disorder Symptoms, Treatments, Causes, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-1-disorder>.

"Bipolar II Disorder – What It Is and What Can Be Done About It." <i>The Ranch Drug Rehab Eating Disorder Trauma Treatment Center Sex Addiction Nashville Tennessee TN</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. <http://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/bipolar-ii-disorder/>.