Bipolar Treatment

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder is a longterm condition that requires ongoing treatment for best results. Due to the nature of this disease, treatment should be sought from trained psychiatrists with experience. Bipolar disorder causes its sufferers to take a wild roller coaster ride punctuated by extreme mood swings from mania to depression. These shifts in mood and energy jeopardize normal life routines and relationships. Recommended treatments for bipolar disorder include medication, psychotherapy and hospitalization.

Medications

Mood stabilizers are prescribed to control the extreme mood shifts that create depression and mania. Finding the right combination of drugs that work best for each patient can take some trial and error. Patience is a requirement since medications can take months to become effective and are usually only changed one at a time, as the psychiatrist and patient try to determine what is working best to control symptoms. Types of medications recommended often include lithium, symbyax, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and antidepressants. For women of child-bearing age, a major concern to be considered relates to birth defects associated with some of the medications listed.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is often a part of a treatment plan for bipolar disorder sufferers. Cognitive therapy teaches patients to identify unhealthy behavior and change the thinking that leads to the bad behavior. By finding more positive coping mechanisms to manage the disease, patients can anticipate and avoid triggers. People who suffer from this chronic condition can learn strategies to minimize the damage done from the ups and downs that can lead to relationship, financial and career problems.

Family therapy is also recommended in most cases so that the family can to be taught how support their loved one. By minimizing stress within the family unit, bipolar disorder can be better managed. Therapy sessions for a family often revolves around teaching better communication methods to reduce and resolve conflict.

Hospitalization

There are times that hospitalization is warranted for patients spiraling out of control. Severe mania or depression can cause dangerous and life-threatening behavior. In these cases hospitalization can be useful as a period of time to help the patient become stabilized and capable of returning to regular routines.