The Benefits and Risks of Mood Stabilizers for BPD

The Benefits and Risks of Mood Stabilizers for BPD BPD Treatment Print Using Mood Stabilizers for Treating BPD By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on October 21, 2019 Caiaimage/Getty Images More in BPD Treatment Diagnosis Living With BPD Related Conditions Mood stabilizers for  borderline personality disorder (BPD)  can be effective in reducing BPD symptoms, particularly  emotion dysregulation  and impulsivity symptoms.  These  psychiatric pharmaceutical medications are increasingly prescribed for people with BPD, although  psychotherapy is still considered the most important form of treatment. Indication The term mood stabilizer is used to describe any medication that reduces the frequency of intense mood shifts, or lability. Types of Medication Different types of medications are prescribed as mood stabilizers for people with  BPD. Medications originally developed to treat seizures, called “anticonvulsants,” are commonly prescribed for their mood-stabilizing effects. Examples include: Tegretol, Equetro (carbamazepine)Lamictal (lamotrigine)Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)Topamax (topiramate)Depakote (valproic acid, divalproex sodium) Lithobid (lithium carbonate)  is an anticonvulsant mood stabilizer that has been a mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder for years.   Effectiveness Research is limited, but it does appear that  mood stabilizers can treat some BPD symptoms effectively.  The  most-studied  medication is lithium. Most of those studies focused on the treatment of impulsivity, but one study showed that lithium can be effective in treating BPD anger and irritation. Some studies hint that other anticonvulsant mood stabilizers may help treat mood and emotional symptoms in BPD, and a different type of medication, called atypical antipsychotics, offers an additional treatment option. Risks and Side Effects Risks and side effects of these medications can vary depending on the type of mood stabilizer youre taking. For example,  each anticonvulsant mood stabilizer has its own unique side effect profile. Lithium carbonate can cause gastrointestinal distress such as nausea and vomiting; weight gain; acne; tremors (shaking); and cognitive problems (for example, feeling that your thinking is slowed or fuzzy). Lithium can also affect your kidneys and thyroid gland, so blood tests are required to monitor their function while youre taking this medication. Lithium can also be very toxic in high doses, so it is less likely to be prescribed for people with BPD who are at risk for suicide. Other possible side effects with anticonvulsants include gastrointestinal complaints, weight gain, rashes, fatigue, and dizziness. In addition, some of these medications carry a risk of rare but serious side effects. For example, people taking carbamazepine must be monitored for the possible development of agranulocytosis, a rare condition marked by a significant decrease in white blood cells.   Toxicity is also a concern with certain anticonvulsant mood stabilizers for BPD. Questions to Ask Your Psychiatrist Talk to your psychiatrist about any concerns you have before you start taking a mood stabilizer for BPD. Make sure you understand the risks and side effects  as well as the reason(s) you are being prescribed a particular medication. Here are some questions you might want to ask: Which BPD symptoms do you expect this medication to affect?Are there particular risks or side effects I should watch for?How will this medication interact with other medications Im taking?How long will I need to take this medication before I start to notice its effects?How long do you think Ill need to be on this medication?