Fig. 1

Comparison of effectiveness of mood stabilisers (adapted from Malhi et al. 2018). This schematic utilises a framework (panel a) to illustrate the clinical effectiveness of mood stabilisers, according to their strengths in managing depressive and manic episodes, both acutely and prophylactically. Lithium is effective in treating both manic and depressive episodes, although for depressive episodes in particular, it is most effective when utilised prophylactically rather than acutely. Lamotrigine is only effective in managing depressive episodes, and here again it is best utilised prophylactically rather than acutely. (* = modest efficacy; ** = significant efficacy).