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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Why are antipsychotics being used to treat bipolar disorder?

    Related Topics
    Bipolar Disorder Mental Health
    A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her psychiatrist has prescribed her with antipsychotic medication rather than a mood stabilizer. Why is this?
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    Leanne Hall

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    Integrative Psychologist, Health Coach & Personal Trainer in private practice. I have expertise in assessing and treating a range of disorders and conditions; depression, anxiety, … View Profile

    Antipsychotics are prescribed for people with Bipolar I Disorder for a number of reasons. They work by blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine - which in people experiencing a manic episode, is signficantly high.

    Certain antipsychotics can improve manic episodes quickly, especially if a person is experiencing delusions/hallucinations (which are common for both severe mania AND depression).  As such, they are often prescribed in the short term - after which, mood stablizers are then prescribed.

    Another reason they are prescribed is as a sedative, to manage insomnia or to manage symptoms of anxiety and/or agitation which are common symptoms experienced by people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. 

    Finally, some of the newer antipsychotics also have mood stablising properties and are currently being used for people who are resistant to more traditional mood stablizing medications.

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  • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    I agree with what Leanne wrote.

    Some so-called “atypical anti-psychotics” (Seroquel, also known as Quetiapine, is an example) are indicated on-label for management of the manic phase of Bipolar Disorder.

    If your friend is concerned about this, I suggest that she talks with her psychiatrist. Other mood-stabilisers (for example, lithium) can also be effective - it might help your friend if her psychiatrist explained to her why s/he thought that an anti-psychotic would be of most benefit to her compared to other options.

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  • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    I know many people (both IRL and on-line) who live with Bipolar Disorder. They have all benefited from mood-stabilising medication (prescribed by psychiatrists) as well as non-pharmaceutical approaches from clinical psychologists.   

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