Bipolar Disorder Treatment

[

It is important to commerce immediate bipolar disorder treatment on an individuals  suspected to have the condition. This condition does not simply get better, instead, it is certain to get worse. If left untreated bipolar disorder can impact negatively on your career, relationship and even your health. All these are complications that can be avoided through early treatment.

Bipolar disorder treatment  can help you regain full control of your life. Effective, treatment relieves symptoms, reduces the frequency between the manic and depression phases. It also restores your ability to function and minimizes mood swings.

Some people may get reluctant to seek treatment because they prefer how they feel during the manic phase. Despite the energy and euphoria, the mania certainly has a high price to pay. It usually gets destructive, causing you and the people around you serious harm. It is impossible to have a productive and stable life due to these phases. Experienced mental health professionals can correctly diagnose bipolar disorder and get you on the right medications.

Medications for Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Medications are necessary for most bipolar disorder patients to relieve their symptoms. A long-term course of medication can decrease the regularity and intensity of your bipolar mood episodes. Occasionally, this can even preempt the mood swings entirely.

In case your bipolar disorder diagnosis is positive, you need to consult your doctor to get the right drug or drug combination that works for you. Different drugs react differently on various individuals. Finding the right drug might require trying out different medications to establish effective management of your symptoms.

Medications for bipolar disorder treatment  include mood stabilizers. These can aid in containing high and low moods caused by bipolar disorder.  Other medications deal with anxiety and bipolar related depression.

Some medications used for  bipolar disorder treatment  include lithium.  Lithium aids in mood stabilization and suppression of the highs and lows of this condition. Since lithium is associated to kidney and thyroid problems, blood tests are recommended. Other side effects include digestive problems, a dry mouth and restlessness.

Anti-convulsants are other medications used in bipolar disorder treatment. This is a group of mood stabilizing drugs that include lamotrigine or Lamictal and  Valproic acid  Depakene, Stavzor, Depakote. These medications are accompanied by various side effects depending on your drug combinations. Weight gain, drowsiness and dizziness are some common side effects. Some rare side effects of anti-convulsants include liver problems, skin rashes and blood disorders.

Anti-psychotics: These are bipolar disorder treatment  medications for people who may not improve through the use of  anti-convulsants. Quetiapine is the only FDA approved medication for bipolar disorder. However, other drugs can still be prescribed by doctors. The medication taken usually determines the patient’s side effects. Common side effects include sleepiness, weight gain, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, and tremors. Anti-psychotic  medications may result in involuntary body and facial movements.  Your memory and attention may also be affected by these drugs.

Antidepressants: You may be given antidepressants depending on your symptoms. Antidepressants can trigger maniac episodes in some individuals with bipolar disorder. These should be acceptable if taken along with mood stabilizers. Common side effects of these drugs include trouble reaching orgasm and low libido. Tricyclics and MAO inhibitors require special monitoring to avoid dangerous side effects.

Symbyax: This drug combines the anti-psychotic olanzapine and the antidepressant fluoxetine. It operates as a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. Symbyax is FDA approved specifically as a  bipolar disorder treatment drug. It may inhibit sexual appetite in a similar manner as antidepressants. Other side effects include drowsiness, weight gain and a stimulated appetite.

Benzodiazepines: These are antianxiety medications that promote healthy sleeping. They  normally provide anxiety relief on a short term basis. Diazepam (valium) alprazolam (Niravam) or Xanax, chlordiazpoxide (Librium),  clonazepam Klonopin) and lorazepam Ativan are some examples of the medications for  bipolar disorder treatment.  Some side effects associated with benzodiazepines include diminished muscle coordination, drowsiness, memory and  balance problems.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment by Therapy

Bipolar disorder treatment  involves more than simply taking your medications. Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that has a tendency to relapse. Hence, it is important to remain on medications even when your symptoms seem to have abated. This is a lifelong condition that isn’t just treated overnight.

People that receive medications for  bipolar disorder treatment  and therapy have a higher likelihood of recovering faster and remaining healthy. Through therapy, you can learn how to deal with your symptoms. These may include self esteem issues, work and even relationship matters. Other problems presenting difficulties such as anxiety and substance abuse can also be handled during therapy.

Cognitive behavior therapy is one of three kinds of therapy used in bipolar disorder treatment. One aspect handled in this method is how your thoughts impact upon your emotions.  You learn to respond in a positive manner to your negative thought patterns and behaviors. Emphasis is put problem solving, managing symptoms and avoiding triggers that can cause relapse.

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy is another form of therapy used in  bipolar disorder treatment. This method lays emphasis on the important relationships in your life and how you can handle them. Once the interpersonal issues in your life have been ironed out, stress is reduced. Stress is a trigger for the disorder maniac depression. This means that a relationship centered approach can minimize mood cycling.

Social rhythm therapy is usually combined with  interpersonal therapy. Internal timekeepers aid in regulating the body’s circadian rhythms. It is believed that the biological clocks of people with bipolar disorder are overly sensitive. Disruptions in daily pattern of activities or social rhythms can easily throw off this clock.

The main focus of social rhythm therapy is to stabilize social rhythms. These social rhythms include eating, sleeping and exercising. When these rhythms remain stable, the biological rhythms responsible for mood regulation also stabilize.

Family focused therapy is the other method that is used in bipolar disorder treatment. Life with someone suffering from bipolar disorder can be complicated. It can strain relationships between spouses and with family members. Family focused therapy seeks to iron out these issues and re-establish a supportive and healthy home environment. This approach focuses on enlightening the family members about how to handle the disease and cope with symptoms, Emphasis is placed upon improving communication and problem solving within the home environment.

Other Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options

Getting a personalized treatment plan may require you to work closely with your health-care provider and a psychologist, a bipolar disorder specialist or a counselor. Getting  comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment ensures your symptoms are controlled and chances of relapse are avoided.

Light and Dark therapy: In a similar manner to the social rhythm therapy, this therapy lays its focus upon the sensitive biological clock found in people with maniac depression psych. When disrupted, sleep and wakes cycles can be thrown off by this clock. This can easily set off the symptoms of mania and depression.

Light and dark therapy in bipolar disorder treatment stabilizes these biological rhythms, hence moods swing are minimized. This is achieved by carefully monitoring your total exposure to light. The main aspect in this therapy is developing a routinely dark environment. Artificial light is put out each night for up to ten hours.

Lifestyle management is also an important factor in  bipolar disorder treatment. Maintaining regular sleeping schedules, helps to stabilize mood swings and reduce symptoms. Exercising consistently, stabilizing your annual sunlight exposure, and avoiding drugs and alcohol is part of a healthy lifestyle management.

Hospitalization can in some instances be beneficial in  bipolar disorder treatment.  Receiving psychiatric treatment in a hospital offers a safe and calm environment that can help in mood stabilization. This is beneficial for patients experiencing deep depression or maniac phases.

Your doctor may recommend hospitalization if you begin to drift away from reality or become psychotic. Suicidal tendencies and dangerous behaviour may also land you in hospital. Day programs and partial hospitalization are bipolar disorder treatment options that provide support and counseling.

Acupuncture: Studies on acupuncture as a complimentary treatment for bipolar disorder are still underway. This form of therapy may be beneficial to bipolar disorder patients through the modulation of stress response. The benefits of acupuncture in depression treatment  include the reduction of symptoms.  Evidence that the symptoms of maniac depression can also be relieved by acupuncture are steadily trickling in.

Group therapy can help an individual by interacting and sharing experiences with others undergoing the same situation as themselves. This can foster the building  of necessary relationship skills. Support groups also offer the necessary support that is invaluable in bipolar disorder treatment.