Residents and students can put tips here. After tips are put here, feel free to reorganize and edit them.

Mood stabilizer is a misnomer. Think of mood stabilizers with four indications for bipolar disorder.

1. prevention of mania - every mood stabilizer except lamotrigine

2. prevention of depression - lithium, lamotrigine, + acute depression meds

3. acute depression - olanzapine/fluoxetine, lurasidone, quetiapine, cariprazine + don't forget psychotherapy

4. acute mania - all antipsychotics, lithium, depakote, tegretol

Think of the movie Frozen; Since everyone likes to See Olaf. Say in your head "C QLOF" to remember:

      Cariprazine
      Quetiapine
      Lurasidone
      Olanzapine w/Fluoxetine