How Do Mood Stabilizers Work?
It’s difficult when it feels like your moods keep swinging between high and low or when emotional stability seems out of reach. For many people living with bipolar disorder, depression, or other mood-related conditions, finding a sense of calm and consistency can take a long time. Sometimes, that involves finding the right medication.
That’s where mood stabilizers come in. These medications can help bring balance back to your mind and body and improve focus, emotional regulation, and your overall quality of life. Understanding how they work and what to expect can help you feel more confident and hopeful throughout your experience with getting professional help and treatment.
In this article, we’ll break down:
How mood stabilizers work in the brain
How long it takes for mood stabilizers to work
The difference between mood stabilizers and antidepressants
Why mood stabilizers may be used for treatment-resistant conditions
What to expect when starting treatment
Why working with a trusted psychiatrist or psychiatric medical provider makes all the difference
What Are Mood Stabilizers?
Mood stabilizers are prescription medications that help reduce extreme mood changes. They’re most commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder but mood stabilizers can also be helpful for other mental health conditions that cause emotional instability, irritability, or impulsivity.
These medications help to prevent both manic and depressive episodes. Instead of feeling emotionally “stuck” in high or low states, mood stabilizers allow your brain to maintain a more consistent, balanced rhythm. Think of your emotions as large tidal waves. We’re trying to smoothen that current so that we’re not constantly battling big ups and downs in our mental health.
Some of the most commonly prescribed mood stabilizers include:
Lithium
Valproate (Depakote)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Each medication works slightly differently and the right one for you depends on your diagnosis, health history, and how your body responds.
How Mood Stabilizers Work in the Brain
The brain’s chemistry relies on complex communication between neurons and neurotransmitters. Neurons are cells in your brain that work like communication pathways, and neurotransmitters are chemicals that are sent and received between neurons that work like messages. Common neurotransmitters that are talked about in the mental health world are serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. These neurotransmitters influence mood and behavior. When this system becomes imbalanced you may experience mood swings, impulsivity, or emotional instability.
Mood stabilizers help regulate this communication by:
Reducing overactivity in brain circuits that cause mania or irritability.
Enhancing signals that calm the nervous system.
Evening out unbalanced neurotransmitter levels, especially those linked to mood and stress regulation.
Protecting neurons from overstimulation and possible damage caused by mood episodes.
Over time, using a mood stabilizer results in fewer extreme mood shifts and greater emotional steadiness allowing you to think more clearly, make consistent decisions, and feel more like yourself again.
How Long Does It Take Mood Stabilizers to Work?
We’re a Colorado-based psychiatry clinic and a common question that we get from patients is:
“How long does it take for mood stabilizers to work?”
The answer varies for each person. In general, mood stabilizers don’t work immediately. It can take several weeks to a few months before you start noticing significant changes.
Common timeline:
Week 1–2: Some patients notice small improvements in sleep, focus, or irritability.
Week 3–4: Early mood stabilization may begin, with fewer emotional highs and lows.
Week 6–8: Most people begin experiencing noticeable, sustained changes in mood and energy.
After 2–3 months: The full effects are often felt as your brain chemistry adjusts and stabilizes.
Because mood stabilizers often require careful dose adjustments, patience is key. Don't give up too early! Responses to mood stabilizers don’t happen overnight. Your provider will closely monitor your response and make gradual changes to find the most effective and tolerable balance for your system.
Do Mood Stabilizers Work Immediately?
It’s very important to understand that mood stabilizers do not work right away. They are designed to create gradual, long-term changes in your brain chemistry.
However, this slow process is beneficial. The goal isn’t to “numb” your emotions or to take away your personality but to restore emotional balance safely. Think of mood stabilizers as a tool to help your brain relearn how to regulate itself over time.
You might not notice the medication working day-to-day, but as weeks pass, many people report:
Improved concentration
Less impulsivity
Better sleep patterns
A more even emotional baseline
If your symptoms feel unchanged after several weeks, don’t lose hope. Your provider can adjust your dose or explore another medication if needed. Furthermore, knowing that mood stabilizers don’t work right away, following this progressive experience prevents you from being overmedicated. The key is consistency and open communication throughout treatment.
The Difference Between Mood Stabilizers and Antidepressants
While mood stabilizers and antidepressants can both support emotional wellness, they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help you and your provider choose the right approach for your unique needs.
Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are typically used for bipolar disorder but they can also be used for other mental health conditions that cause emotional instability, irritability, or impulsivity. For bipolar disorder, the goal is to prevent manic and depressive episodes by balancing out neurotransmitters that cause these severe mood changes. It can take weeks to months for mood stabilizers to adjust in your body.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are typically used for depression, anxiety, and OCD. The goal is to improve low or stressed out moods which can positively impact other affected areas of your health such as low energy. These medications are more focused on increasing your serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. 4-6 weeks is a common standard timeline to adjust to antidepressants. An important thing to note is that antidepressants can trigger manic episodes if they are used alone with someone who has bipolar disorder.
In some cases, both mood stabilizers and antidepressants can be used together. It’s highly recommended to work with a psychiatric provider to carefully manage combining mental health medications in order to avoid unwanted effects. Examples for when these medications are used together are when treating bipolar II disorder or treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Let’s talk about treatment-resistant mental health conditions next!
Mood Stabilizers for Treatment-Resistant Mental Health Conditions
Sometimes, problems with mental health persist even after trying several medications. This is called treatment-resistant mood disorder. Most commonly, it’s referred more specifically towards anxiety and depression.
For these patients, mood stabilizers can make a meaningful difference especially when used as an add-on treatment to antidepressants or antipsychotics.
Research shows that mood stabilizers like Lamotrigine and Lithium can enhance antidepressant effects, reduce mood cycling, and protect against relapse. In cases of chronic depression, bipolar spectrum conditions, irritability, or rapid mood swings, this can open a new path toward recovery.
At Summit Together Mental Health…
We work with both children (6+) and adults in Colorado who have experienced limited success with standard treatments for their mental health.
We understand that everyone’s brain responds differently, and our goal is to find the right combination of medications and lifestyle strategies to help you regain stability and motivation. Let us help you!
What to Expect When Starting Mood Stabilizers
Starting any new medication can feel uncertain, but knowing what to expect can make the process smoother. Here’s what the process typically looks like.
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Your psychiatric provider will take time to understand your full mental health history, previous medication experiences, and current symptoms. This helps determine which mood stabilizer is best suited for you.
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Most mood stabilizers are started at a low dose and increased slowly. This allows your body to adjust and helps minimize side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or nausea.
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Some medications, such as lithium or valproate, require occasional blood tests to ensure the medication level stays in a safe and effective range.
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During the first few weeks, your mood may change slightly as your body adapts. Regular check-ins with your provider ensure you’re supported during this phase.
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Once your mood stabilizer is working well, you’ll continue with ongoing follow-ups to maintain balance. Over time, many people experience greater control over their emotions, improved energy, and a more consistent sense of well-being.
Why It’s Important to Work with a Trusted Psychiatric Provider
While there’s plenty of online information about mental health medications, choosing and adjusting mood stabilizers is a complex process that should always be done with professional support.
Our office’s approach to mental health treatment and care is grounded in genuine compassion towards our patients, teamwork to support making decisions together, your safety as a top priority when making treatment decisions, and open-mindedness so that our patients feel comfortable and heard throughout the process. These values are our four pillars that guide every part of our care.
Here’s why working with a licensed provider like Janelle Aguilon, APN, PMHNP, matters:
We create individualized treatment plans tailored to your symptoms, goals, and lifestyle.
We closely monitor side effects, interactions, and labs (when needed) to ensure your safety.
We offer telehealth appointments for convenience across Colorado so you can receive care from the comfort of home.
We believe in person-centered care that empowers you to take an active role in your mental health journey.
Our mission is to help every patient feel seen, heard, and supported—not just through medication, but through genuine connection and understanding.
Lifestyle Tips to Support Mood Stability
While medication is often a cornerstone of treatment, lifestyle habits also play a major role in emotional health. Pairing your mood stabilizer with positive daily routines can improve results and reduce relapse risk.
Consider adding these habits to your care plan:
Sleep regularly: Aim for 7–9 hours each night to keep your brain chemistry balanced.
Eat nutrient-rich foods: Omega-3s, lean protein, and whole grains support brain function.
Stay active: Physical activity helps regulate mood-related neurotransmitters.
Avoid alcohol and substances: These can interfere with medication effectiveness as well your overall wellness.
Track your mood: Journaling or apps helps you and your provider notice patterns or triggers over time.
Practice mindfulness or therapy: Research shows that coming medication with therapy leads to the best outcomes.
When to Reach Out for Help
If you ever experience new or worsening symptoms such as rapid mood changes, severe irritability, or suicidal thoughts, contact your provider right away. Medication adjustments or additional support may be needed.
If you’re in immediate danger or crisis, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7.
Finding Balance with Summit Together Mental Health
Mood stabilizers can be life-changing tools for emotional balance but they’re most effective when combined with expert guidance and a compassionate approach.
At Summit Together Mental Health, we help children, teens, and adults across Colorado find stability, relief, and renewed hope through personalized care. Whether you’re considering mood stabilizers for the first time or managing treatment-resistant symptoms, we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Even if you’re still not sure that taking medications for your mental health is the right answer for you. We can provide thorough education and treatment options so that you feel confident in making the best decision for yourself.
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a virtual psychiatric evaluation with us today to explore whether mood stabilizers could help you feel more balanced, focused, and at peace.
