Treatment for bipolar disorder
Most people with bipolar disorder - even those with the most severe forms - can manage to stabilize their mood swings and other symptoms with proper treatment. Because bipolar is a recurrent illness, long-term treatment to prevent episodes is strongly recommended. A care plan that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is best for managing the disorder over time.
Medications
People with bipolar disorder can be prescribed a number of medications. A combination of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilisers is usually prescribed in both the treatment and prevention of bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics are especially good for reducing manic episodes while antidepressants are used primarily during depressive episodes. Mood stabilisers help reduce both manic and depressive episodes and are usually taken continuously as a preventative measure.
Psychological therapies
As an addition to medication, psychosocial treatments - including certain types of talking therapy - are helpful in providing support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Psychosocial interventions can lead to increased mood stability, fewer hospitalisations, and improved functioning in several areas.
Among those that have been found to work
Cognitive behavioural therapy
helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change inappropriate or negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with the illness.
Psycho-education
involves teaching people with bipolar disorder about the illness and its treatment, and how to recognise signs of relapse so that early intervention can be sought before a full-blown illness episode occurs. Psycho-education may be helpful for family members.
Family therapy
uses strategies to reduce the level of distress within the family that may either contribute to or result from the ill person's symptoms. Also aims to make the family an active part of the therapeutic structure.
Among those that have been found to work
Cognitive behavioural therapy
helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change inappropriate or negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with the illness.
Psycho-education
involves teaching people with bipolar disorder about the illness and its treatment, and how to recognise signs of relapse so that early intervention can be sought before a full-blown illness episode occurs. Psycho-education may be helpful for family members.
Family therapy
uses strategies to reduce the level of distress within the family that may either contribute to or result from the ill person's symptoms. Also aims to make the family an active part of the therapeutic structure.
