What category of medication is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder?

The category of medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder is mood stabilizers. This class of drugs is specifically designed to help regulate mood swings that are characteristic of bipolar disorder, helping to prevent the episodes of mania and depression that patients may experience. Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproate, and lamotrigine, have a unique mechanism that helps to smooth out the highs and lows of mood, providing a more stable emotional state for individuals with this condition.

In contrast, while antidepressants can be used to treat depression, they are generally not the first-choice treatment for bipolar disorder, as they may trigger manic episodes in some patients. Antipsychotics can also be used in certain circumstances, particularly for managing acute mania or psychotic symptoms, but they do not primarily serve as a long-term treatment for stabilizing the mood cycles associated with bipolar disorder. SSRIs, a specific class of antidepressants, are typically used for treating major depressive disorders but are not ideal for managing the mood fluctuations seen in bipolar disorder.