Are there effective treatments for bipolar disorder?

Aboslutely. However, while for years psychiatrists have focused on the biological component of bipolar disorder, and therefore on the medication that will effectively treat the illness, I think we're finally coming to a point where even medical doctors are recognizing that medications are only part of the answer.

Medication is generally recognized as the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, but it's important to remember that medications obviously don't change the way you think about and cope with situations. Meds might help improve your mood, of course, which might help to improve your outlook on life; but psychotherapy is now widely acknowledged as a helpful adjunct to medication treatment for this illness.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) are two treatments that have been studied and found to be fairly effective for bipolar disorder. Not every treatment is helpful for everyone, however, and even these treatments aren't "cures", so it's important for us as professionals to keep looking for other therapies that might be even more effective.

I've recently done some research on a newer treatment called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), created by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the 1980's; this therapy looks to be a promising new treatment for many conditions, including bipolar disorder. In my research (which hopefully will be published in 2012), I found that DBT helped people with bipolar disorder to reduce their symptoms of depression, reduce their fear of their emotions, and increase their self-awareness, an important component of preventing future relapses. For more information about DBT and my research, visit www.dbtforbipolar.com.