Which drug is commonly used as a mood stabilizer for mania and bipolar disorder?

Lithium is commonly used as a mood stabilizer for individuals experiencing mania and bipolar disorder due to its unique properties in regulating mood fluctuations. It works at the level of neurotransmitters, helping to stabilize mood and reduce the frequency and intensity of manic and depressive episodes.

Clinical research has shown that lithium effectively reduces the risk of manic episodes by modulating various factors within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine levels. Its effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder also includes a strong track record in reducing suicidality and promoting long-term stability in mood disorders.

Other options do not serve the same purpose as mood stabilizers. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter rather than a medication; Prozac is an antidepressant (specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI), typically used for depression but not primarily as a mood stabilizer; Haldol is an antipsychotic medication often used to treat severe agitation or psychosis rather than as a standard treatment for mania or bipolar disorder.