[Bipolarchic14]

at one of my DBSA meetings we discussed how Europeans use Mood stabilizers to treat the episode rather than as a lifetime commitment/ longterm treatment plan. I am wondering if this is true. I seem to be having short term memory issues but I am afraid of going backwards.

I took lithium for about 2 months for unipolar depression. I know of 1 person in my country (sorry, I'm not comfortable saying where I live, just that it's in Europe) who took lithium to augment 'real' antidepressiva. She was diagnosed with unipolar depression at that time, but that was later changed to bipolar - rapid cycling.

[Nevvy]

I'm using lithium with Lamictal (just lithium doesn't work well with me) as a permanent stabilizer/long term. Where I live, it's very common to use it this way (NL). I have never seen it used per episode, as to my knowledge a stabilizer is used for maintainence and keeping you out of the episodes.

Did you hear where exactly this was done?

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[Homeira]

I live in Europe as well (Norway), and I have been on Lamictal for five years. At least in my country mood stabilizers are used long term. Never heard of anyone being treated for individual episodes. (Unless of course an episode requires extra meds to stabilize).
My understanding is that mood stabilizers are used much the same way in Europe as in the US.

[Bipolarchic14]

Thank you for your responses.