Do mood stabilizers like Lamictal and Depakote permanently change brain chemistry and normalize moods?

Answer 1

No, mood stabilizers and anti-depressants do not permanently change brain chemistry. They can help to regulate moods when they are taken regularly, but often they take weeks, sometimes month, to see any change. Once someone stops taking these medications, physically speaking their brain chemistry will be the same as it was before the medication. This is why mood stabilizers are paired with therapy so that patients are able to manage their moods without fully relying on medication, since it is only half of the puzzle.