Bipolar Treatment Requires a Combination of Methods

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Bipolar disorder is a complex disease. It can often feel like two diseases in one because of the two separate episodes that plague those with bipolar disorder. Manic and depressive episodes are at the opposite end of the spectrum producing very high, highs and very low, lows.

Since the disorder is so complex it is important that the treatment is not simplified and that a combination of treatment methods are used to give the most help to the patient.

Basics of Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can not be cured. This means that treatment is required for the rest of your life. When you feel better you can not discontinue Bipolar Treatment or your symptoms will resurface. Some treatments may take some time to begin working, so it is important to also understand that treatment is not an immediate cure.

Treatment is a combination of a few different methods. Typically, Bipolar Treatment involves:

• medication
• therapy
• ECT
• Hospitalization

Medication

Medications used in Bipolar Treatment are used to help reduce symptoms in both frequency and severity. Medication is almost always used in every patient as a line of treatment. The medications used may vary depending on the symptoms of the patient. Some common medications used include:

• Mood stabilizers
• Ant-seizure medication
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotic medication
• Anti-anxiety medication

Therapy

Therapy is used in the treatment of bipolar to provide education and help a patient learn to live with bipolar disorder. Types of therapy used include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Learning about triggers and about how to deal with triggers
• Family therapy: Helping families to cope with a bipolar loved one
• Group therapy: Talking with others who suffer from bipolar disorder

ECT

ECT or electroconvulsive therapy is most often used in patients that suffer from severe depressive episodes. Other treatment options are usually tried first, but if a patient is not responding to other treatments and has strong suicidal urges then ECT may be used. ECT is believed to be beneficial because it triggers a seizure and seizures are thought to alter brain chemistry which alters mood.

Hospitalization

If all other Bipolar Treatment methods have failed or if a person gets into a severe manic or depressive episode that seems to be of an immediate threat to their safety, then a person may be hospitalized. Being under constant supervision helps to ensure that the person does not hurt themselves or others.

These different Bipolar Treatment methods are often used in combination to find the right combination of treatments for a specific patient. A person diagnosed with bipolar may have to go through different medications, therapies and combination of treatment methods before they reach one that works for them. That is why it is important to be monitored during treatment by a professional.

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