Which type of medications are used to treat mood disorders?

Mood stabilizers are specifically designed to treat mood disorders, particularly those characterized by extreme fluctuations in mood, such as bipolar disorder. These medications work by helping to regulate mood swings and reduce the frequency and intensity of episodes of mania and depression. Mood stabilizers ultimately help achieve a more stable state in individuals prone to these mood changes.

While antidepressants are commonly used to manage depressive symptoms, and antipsychotics can address acute mania or psychosis associated with mood disorders, mood stabilizers specifically target the underlying instability in mood itself, making them particularly effective for those diagnosed with mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Stimulants, on the other hand, tend to be used for attention-deficit disorders and may not be appropriate for the treatment of mood disorders. Thus, mood stabilizers are the most relevant class of medication for this context.