Bipolar Disorder Treatment

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• QWhat herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals help treat bipolar disorder?

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  A World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH) answered

  Herbal or natural supplements, such as St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), have not been well studied, and little is known about their effects on the disorder. Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate their production, different brands of these supplements can contain varying amounts of the active ingredient. Before trying herbal or natural supplements, it is important to discuss them with your doctor. There is evidence that St. John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, including some used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), heart disease, cancer, as well as oral contraceptives. In addition, like prescription antidepressants, St. John's wort may cause a switch into mania in some individuals with bipolar disorder, especially if no mood stabiliser is being taken.
  Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and EMP+, a vitamin-mineral complex, are also being studied to determine their usefulness, alone and when added to conventional medications, for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.
• QWhy should I get treatment for my bipolar disorder?

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  A Dr. Ruth White, MPH , Social Work, answered

  Getting treatment for bipolar disorder is something you do for yourself. It's also something you do for your coworkers, those living with you, your loved ones, and those who interact with you every day. Time and time again, people put off seeking treatment, but generally the longer the illness goes untreated, the more difficult it is to treat. This is why it's important to get professional help as soon as possible.
  
  Getting effective treatment for bipolar disorder is something you do to give yourself the life you deserve. With proper treatment, you get the chance to make plans and see them through. You can enjoy your life without worrying about getting through each day. You may find that in focusing on treating and managing your bipolar disorder, many of the other problems in your life go away. Relationships with family, loved ones, and coworkers will all improve. Reducing episodes will also save you money on treatment so you can focus on developing your career, building skills through training and education, and pursuing other life goals. You may still experience less severe manias, but now it may result in interesting ideas that you can more easily implement than in the past. If people who are successfully treated with bipolar medications don't stop having episodes altogether, they have them less frequently and less severely. Other benefits of developing and implementing healthy lifestyle changes may be weight loss and improvement of health and overall quality of life.
  
  However, treatment can also mean taking medications with side effects that may bother you. You may miss some of the highs of mania and the bursts of creative energy. You may have to reduce your intake of coffee and skip your late-night glass of wine. At the same time, you may get to smile more often and suffer less from depression and damaging manic episodes. The benefits of treatment far outweigh the pain, suffering, and risks of going untreated.

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• QWhy are medications used to treat bipolar disorder?

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  A World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH) answered

  There are three primary goals in using medication to treat bipolar disorder. These include stabilizing the patient's moods (e.g., extreme agitation or suicidal impulses), recovery from the current episode (mania or depression), and preventing a relapse.
• QWhat should I include in my bipolar disorder treatment plan?

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  A Sheri Van Dijk , Psychiatry, answered

  When first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it's important for you to learn as much as you can about the illness, the symptoms you experience in manic/hypomanic and depressive states, and what your triggers are. It can be really helpful to discuss these things with your family members, or other people who are important in your life, as well as to have a conversation with these people about how they can help you with your illness.

  It's important to remember that medication is the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, and that nonadherence to a medication treatment plan will likely result in a bipolar episode. But there are also many other lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the likelihood of future episodes: stop using drugs and really limit (or stop altogether if possible) your alcohol intake; make sure you get enough sleep and exercise; eat healthy; and make sure you maintain a balance in your life of work and enjoyable activities.

  For some people, psychotherapy is very helpful, and you can learn skills that might reduce your likelihood of future episodes as well. If you're hesitant to explore this option, check out some self-help books such as my book, "The DBT Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder".

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• QHow should I take medication for bipolar disorder?

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  A International Bipolar Foundation answered

  You should take them as directed by your doctor. Some medications are taken once a day, some up to three times a day, some with food and some on an empty stomach. Therefore it is important to ask the prescriber how they intend you to take it.
  
  Answered by Thomas Jensen MD

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• QWhy should I undergo continuous treatment if I have bipolar disorder?

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  A Dr. John Preston, PsyD , Psychology, answered

  When feeling good, people with bipolar disorder often tend to deny having an illness. They also tend to discontinue treatment even when it's working, because they feel better and believe they don't need medication. If things are better, stick with the program, because that's a clear sign that it's working. It's easy to tell yourself, "The episode is over now, so I can stop taking my medications." This is a decision that should only be made in conjunction with your healthcare provider. Although it may be possible to taper treatments over time, in most cases, people with bipolar disorder need ongoing forms of treatment, because the disorder (if untreated) usually gets more serious over one's lifetime.

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• QCan bipolar disorder be treated with "natural" remedies?

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  A Dr. Mark W. Moronell, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  There is not much research to show whether natural or alternative remedies help control bipolar disorder, and they may interfere with treatment. In fact, St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herb often marketed as an antidepressant, may trigger a switch to mania and make other medications for bipolar disease less effective. The evidence is mixed for the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and other foods. Talk to your doctor before using any treatment that he or she has not prescribed.

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• QWhat types of psychotherapy are used to treat bipolar disorder?

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  A Keith Star , Psychology, answered on behalf of Tarzana Treatment Centers

  Psychotherapy can help those with bipolar disorder to prevent relapse. A psychiatrist is best for prescribing medications.

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