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Best Treatment For Bipolar Disorder
There is no cure for bipolar disorder. The only hope is to manage the symptoms. Often multiple medications are required to do this successfully. Traditional "talk" therapy in concert with the prescriptions may help the patient to weather the highs and lows of mood they will still endure even in the presence of drug treatments. It is important for sufferers to sleep and eat regularly and to engage in an exercise routine. Sleep disruptions and fatigue are recognized triggers of bipolar episodes.
MEDICATIONS
In selecting medications as treatment for bipolar disorder, physicians are attempting to balance out the need for mood stabilizers during manic phases with that for antidepressants on the "down" side. If the depression becomes severe to the point of actual psychosis, antipsychotic drugs may also be used. Unfortunately, in some cases both antidepressants and antipsychotic medications will actually have the unwanted effect of causing mania and panic attacks.
Each individual will react differently to various drug "cocktails" and it may take some time to arrive at the correct bipolar disorder medication or medications and a correct dosage. People with bipolar disorder are notorious for discontinuing their medications when the desired effect is not immediate. Others actually enjoy the manic phase of their illness and do not want to lose the "high." Others, when they do see improvement, erroneously consider themselves to be cured.
Most doctors feel that nothing concrete can be achieved in the way of stabilization for at least six weeks. (Longer periods are not uncommon.)
PSYCHOTHERAPY
While talking about bipolar disorder will go no farther toward "curing" the condition than drugs, it can help to address and minimize the social, familial, and career disruption that plagues and often destroys the life of the bipolar sufferer. Such therapy may also be useful in helping patients to see the need for their medication and to stick with their prescription therapy regimen. Without question, bipolar disorder is an isolating illness and those who grapple with its effects require a support system.
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY
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In extremely severe bipolar cases electroconvulsive or "shock" therapy may be the last resort when no other therapies have proved helpful. Although effective, doctors are increasingly reluctant to take this route due to the severe side effects that result.
In the immediate wake of the treatment the patient will experience considerable confusion and memory loss. Hopefully these issues will resolve over a period of time but studies indicate that more than a third of patients who have undergone electroconvulsive therapy have significant and permanent memory loss.
Can Bipolar Disorder Be Prevented
Unfortunately bipolar disorder cannot be prevented. The only hope is to maintain the symptoms with mood stabilizing medications that must be taken for life. (These drugs might include lithium or carbamazepine.)
Eating and exercising regularly helps to stave off attacks as does a regular sleep cycle. Jet lag from traveling between time zones is very bad for bipolar patients. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs and do what you can to reduce stress at home and at work. Learning a meditation technique or other forms of stress management and reduction can be helpful.
When Should A Person Seek Medical Advice?
As soon as an individual begins to experience extreme cycles of euphoria and black depression medical advice should be sought. The sooner treatment for bipolar disorder begins, the more effective it tends to be.
Bipolar disorder in children as young as six years of age has been detected. Children who laugh hysterically and display infectious happiness for no reason, who seem to need no sleep, entertain grandiose ideas, and then cycle into deep depression should be carefully observed and evaluated by a professional as soon as possible.
Bipolar disorder treatment involves a life-long program of treatment, both prescription and therapy based. The good news is that individuals who stick with their medication and work to develop coping techniques can live a life relatively free of bipolar disorder symptoms.
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