(Page 3 of 3)

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Most people with bipolar disorder - even those with the most severe forms - can achieve substantial stabilisation of their mood swings and related symptoms with proper treatment. Because bipolar is a recurrent illness, long-term preventative treatment is strongly recommended and almost always indicated. A care plan that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is best for managing the disorder over time.

In most cases, bipolar disorder is much better controlled if treatment is continuous than if it is on and off. But even when there are no breaks in treatment, mood changes can occur and should be reported immediately to your doctor. The doctor may be able to prevent a full-blown episode by making adjustments to the treatment plan. Working closely with the doctor and communicating openly about treatment concerns and options can make a difference in treatment effectiveness.

Keeping a chart of daily moos symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events may help you and your family to better understand the illness. This chart can also help the doctor track and treat the illness most effectively.

medications

People with bipolar disorder can be prescribed a number of medication. A combination of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilisers is usually prescribed in both the treatment and prevention of bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics are especially good for reducing manic episodes while antidepressants are used primarily during depressive episodes. Mood stabilisers help reduce both manic and depressive episodes and are usually taken continuously as a preventative measure. More information about medications can be found below.

• taking medications
• antipsychotics
• antidepressants
• mood stabilisers

psychosocial treatments

As an addition to medication, psychosocial treatments - including certain types of talking therapy - are helpful in providing support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Studies have shown that psychosocial interventions can lead to increased mood stability, fewer hospitalisation, and improved functioning in several areas.

Among those that have been found to work:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change inappropriate or negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with the illness.
• Psychoeducation involves teaching people with bipolar disorder about the illness and its treatment, and how to recognise signs of relapse so that early intervention can be sought before a full-blown illness episode occurs. Psychoeducation may be helpful for family members.
• Family therapy uses strategies to reduce the level of distress within the family that may either contribute to or result from the ill person's symptoms.

Mortality rates

Research has shown that people with bipolar disorder are more likely to die from suicide or circulatory disorders than members of the general public. People on long-term treatment with antidepressants alone or with an antipsychotic, or with lithium in combination with antidepressants and/or antipsychotics significantly lowered suicide rates even though the treated were more severely ill. Lithium has been shown to reduce suicide rates in people with bipolar disorder.

The risk of suicide appears to be higher earlier in the course of the illness. Therefore, recognising bipolar disorder early and learning how best to manage it may decrease the risk of death by suicide.

Tags: Bipolar Disorder

About the Author

www.rethink.org
Rethink is the largest severe mental illness charity in the UK. We are dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by severe mental illness, whether they have a condition themselves, care for others who do, or are professionals or volunteers working in the mental health field.