How is bipolar disorder treated?
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Various treatment options can help those with bipolar disorder. The most common approaches are medications and counseling. Treatment is often lifelong and must be continued even during periods when one's mood is stable. Uninterrupted treatment can help one lead a more predictable, stable emotional life and prevent problems at home, work, or school. It can also help prevent the condition from getting worse over time.
Various treatment options can help those with bipolar disorder. The most common approaches are medications and counseling. Treatment is often lifelong and must be continued even during periods when one's mood is stable. Uninterrupted treatment can... More -
Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz answered:The medications you may be prescribed will vary depending upon whether you are given a diagnosis of bipolar I and bipolar II. In general, if you have bipolar I, you will not receive antidepressant or stimulant medications as both may push you into a "manic episode." Both bipolar I and bipolar II are treated with mood stabilizers medications Lithium (Eskalith), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Valproic Acid (Depakote), Gabapentin (Neurontin), Lamotrigine (Lamictal), Topiramate (Topamax), Tiagabine (Gabatril), or their medication derivatives. And bipolar I and bipolar II irritability and depression are currently often treated with Aripiprazole (Abilify), Ziprasidone (Geodon), Quetiapine (Seroquel), and Olanzapine (Zyprexa) - but with all treatment, if your mood worsens or thoughts of death and suicide occur, you have to go to your physician or prescribing nurse-practitioner immediately. Finally, some patients with bipolar II may be treated with antidepressants, but this is done with great caution given that this class of medications may increase one's chance of having irritability and hypomania.The medications you may be prescribed will vary depending upon whether you are given a diagnosis of bipolar I and bipolar II. In general, if you have bipolar I, you will not receive antidepressant or stimulant medications as both may push you... More -
Donna Hill Howes answered:Doctors treat bipolar disorder with medications called mood stabilizers. The purpose of these drugs is to reduce and prevent manic episodes, which can lead to overly excited mood and reckless behavior. Mood stabilizers include lithium and certain drugs that are also used to prevent seizures, such as valproate, carbamazepine, and others. In some cases, doctors also prescribe certain types of antipsychotic medications, including aripiprazole, olanzapine, and others. Doctors may also give patients antidepressants to treat sadness and despair that can occur during low episodes. Many people with bipolar disorder also benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy) with a mental-health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
Doctors treat bipolar disorder with medications called mood stabilizers. The purpose of these drugs is to reduce and prevent manic episodes, which can lead to overly excited mood and reckless behavior. Mood stabilizers include lithium and... More -
Keith Star of Tarzana Treatment Centers answered:Medication is a part of the recommended treatment course for bipolar disorder. People with undiagnosed bipolar disorder may sometimes self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to relieve their symptoms.
Medication is a part of the recommended treatment course for bipolar disorder. People with undiagnosed bipolar disorder may sometimes self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to relieve their symptoms. More -
Katherine Lee of Tarzana Treatment Centers answered:Bipolar is best treated with consistent use of psychotropic medications with psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy, which concentrates on changing negative thought patterns and behavior. Psychoeducation is also helpful as it teaches a person about his/her illness and the importance of taking medications consistently. Family therapy also helps to improve communication and relationship between the client and his/her families.
Bipolar is best treated with consistent use of psychotropic medications with psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy, which concentrates on changing negative thought patterns and behavior. Psychoeducation is also helpful as it teaches a... More -
Julie A. Fast answered:Hello!
This answer will focus the medication treatment of bipolar disorder. I focus on management in my other answers.
Bipolar disorder medication treatment depends on your diagnosis. The majority of people with bipolar have either Bipolar I (one) or Bipolar II (two). They each have a different medication treatment path.
Bipolar I and Bipolar II share the same symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADD symptoms and psychosis, etc.
The main difference is the mania.
- Bipolar I has full blown mania. This mania can involve psychosis.
- Bipolar II has a milder mania called hypomania with no psychosis.
There are four main medication categories used to treat bipolar disorder.
- Mood stabilizers
- Anti-psychotics
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-anxiety
If you have Bipolar I with full blown mania, your drug regime will focus on preventing mania. This means taking a mood stabilizer and/or an anti-psychotic. If there is psychosis with the mania, an anti-psychotic is essential.
If you have Bipolar II, the hypomania is milder, but still a very serious mood swing that has to be caught early so that you don’t make destructive decisions. It’s not essential that a person with Bipolar II always be on an anti-manic mood stabilizer, but it can help if the mood swings are regular.
Once the mania is discussed and addressed, depression treatment is added. The main problem with bipolar depression treatment is that the anti-depressants used for unipolar depression can cause mania for those with bipolar. Thus, anti-depressants can only be used with a mood stabilizer or anti-psychotic.
(I should note that if a person is in a depressive mood swing, the depression will naturally be treated before a mania regime is decided.)
One popular drug used for bipolar depression in Bipolar I and II is the mood stabilizer Lamotrigine. It helps the depression without causing mania. It can also reduce rapid cycling, irritation, anger, anxiety and mild mania. Lithium can be used as well, though it can take a long time to work. Anti-psychotic companies are now advertising that their drugs can boost anti-depressant effectiveness. The jury is out on that one regarding bipolar depression.
Anti-anxiety drugs are used as needed for a variety of symptoms. The main being anxiety of course, but I use mine for sleep. Addiction can be a problem here, so be careful.
Wow. Now you can see why bipolar disorder is one of the most difficult illnesses to treat.
Julie Fast
Hello! This answer will focus the medication treatment of bipolar disorder. I focus on management in my other answers. Bipolar disorder medication treatment depends on your diagnosis. The majority of people with bipolar have either Bipolar I (one)... More -
RealAge answered:Currently, psychiatrists and general practitioners typically prescribe mood-stabilizing medicines to manage the emotional swings of bipolar disorder. These drugs are often taken for many years, may be combined with anticonvulsant or antipsychotic medications, and require close monitoring. Adding intensive psychotherapy may help people get better more quickly and stay on an emotional even keel longer.
Fortunately, even the most severe bipolar disorder can be treated, and people can live full and productive lives, despite the condition.Currently, psychiatrists and general practitioners typically prescribe mood-stabilizing medicines to manage the emotional swings of bipolar disorder. These drugs are often taken for many years, may be combined with anticonvulsant or... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:Treatment for bipolar disorder includes the following:
- Medication. The main treatment for bipolar disorder is medication. Your doctor will probably recommend that you take a mood stabilizer (such as lithium) every day. A mood stabilizer can help prevent wild mood swings. Also, from time to time, you may need to take other medications to treat episodes of mania or depression that break through despite the mood stabilizer. Unlike unipolar (major) depression, with bipolar disorder it can be harmful to use an antidepressant alone -- this can make you less stable or even bring on a manic episode. What's the most important thing to remember? Keep taking your medication even after you start to feel better. Consistent treatment is the key to keeping symptoms at bay.
- Counseling. Also called psychotherapy or "talk therapy," counseling can help you -- and your loved ones -- work out some of the problems caused by your illness. Support groups and advocacy groups can help too.
Treatment for bipolar disorder includes the following: Medication. The main treatment for bipolar disorder is medication. Your doctor will probably recommend that you take a mood stabilizer (such as lithium) every day. A mood stabilizer can... More
