Effective Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex condition, and the right treatment plan must address all of the complexities of the disorder. The good news is that there are many effective treatments that can help you manage your symptoms so that you can hold a career and enjoy meaningful relationships. 

If you or a loved one are suffering from bipolar disorder, we recommend that you seek help as soon as possible. In the meantime, here is an overview of the most common treatments for bipolar disorder.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by severe mood swings. The shifts between manic episodes and depressive episodes can be debilitating which may make it difficult — if not impossible — to maintain a satisfying job and relationships. There are three types of bipolar disorder:

• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Cyclothymia

Watch the video below to learn more about bipolar disorder.

Treating Bipolar Disorder

There isn’t a cure for bipolar disorder, but treatment can help manage symptoms so that you can enjoy an improved quality of life. Medication and therapy are effective treatments for bipolar disorder.

Medication

There isn’t just one type of medication used to treat bipolar disorder. There are many different options, and some individuals may do best with a combination of medications. This is especially true if you’re also dealing with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety. Not all medications and dosages work the same for each individual so the key to a successful treatment plan is finding both the right medication and the right dosage. 

Examples of medications used to treat bipolar include:

• Mood stabilizers 
• Antipsychotics
• Antidepressants
• Antidepressant-antipsychotic

Depending on your unique needs, you may also benefit from anti-anxiety medication as well.

Why a Combination of Medications Can Help Ease Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

According to the experts at Mayo Clinic, antidepressants alone may not be ideal. While antidepressants help to manage the symptoms of bipolar depression, they can sometimes trigger a manic episode. To help prevent that, a mood stabilizer might also be prescribed. This is just one example that highlights the complexities of bipolar disorder. However, sticking with your medication schedule — even if you start to feel better — is essential when it comes to managing your symptoms.

Psychotherapy

In addition to medication, psychotherapy is another treatment option. Psychotherapy is sometimes called “talk therapy”, and there are many different types of therapy under this umbrella. Psychotherapy includes therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is designed to help a person manage troubling symptoms and improve daily functioning, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Other Ways to Help Manage Symptoms

In addition to medication and therapy, there are still a few other ways to help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Although one person’s treatment plan may vary to the next, there are a few common tips to make your treatment as effective as possible:

• Stick with your medication schedule and take all medications as prescribed
• Don’t skip your medication even if you’re feeling better 
• Adopt healthy lifestyle practices including a well-balanced diet and regular exercise
• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs 
• Prioritize quality sleep (which helps to stabilize your mood)

Most importantly, if you think your current treatment regimen isn’t working, don’t hesitate to reach out. Sometimes just a fine-tuning of your medication is all you need to feel better. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at our Louisville, Kentucky mental health clinic at 502-339-2442 or click here.