Bipolar Disorder Therapy and Medication

Bipolar therapy is one of several strategies that can be used to treat bipolar disease (manic depression) and related mood disorders such as anxiety and stress. Developed by two doctors, this bipolar therapy approach based on family dynamics actually makes good sense, considering that most primary caregivers for people with bipolar disorder are also at a higher risk for developing the condition or even depression. The theory behind bipolar therapy is that people with the disorder experience “heimeristic depression” that is characterized by mood swings between mania and depression. Often, it is only when the condition is left untreated for long periods of time that the bipolar episodes resolve. What is beneficial about bipolar therapy is that the episodes do not occur suddenly; they develop gradually over a period of time, which means that patients can work through the difficulties associated with bipolar depression on their own.

Medication, including medication used to treat bipolar disorder, is another part of bipolar therapy that should not be overlooked. A good medication regimen is crucial to keeping the condition under control. In particular, anti-seizure medications and mood stabilizers are both needed to maintain a stable state. Unfortunately, some people with the condition are too willing to self-medicate, which can lead to devastating side effects and, in the worst cases, suicide.

The most common medication used in bipolar therapy is pre-stabilization medication. This type of medicine helps patients keep their moods stable by reducing feelings of sadness or hopelessness. When feeling particularly low, these medicines will make patients feel hopeful and less depressed. But, as people with mental illnesses or substance abuse begin to take medication for the first time, they will be asked to reduce the amount of the medication so that it is more effective. While this approach may initially seem like a setback, patients find that they eventually feel better and have fewer mood swings. Over time, doctors will begin to reduce the dose of pre-stabilization medication, allowing patients to maintain a somewhat stable mood even when they experience a break in their medication.

Another medication used in bipolar therapy is mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers work to treat mood disorders such as depression and mania by correcting various chemical imbalances within the brain. In the case of bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers help patients avoid extreme highs and lows by making the brain work more efficiently. As an added bonus, these medications often improve overall health, contributing to better health and happiness overall. Because they can be taken as a preventive measure before a depressive or manic episode occurs, they can also ease symptoms in the short term.

Family therapy is also an important component of bipolar therapy. Many families in which patients with this illness have lived for a long period of time suffer from poorer relationships and poorer communication than families who have only recently been afflicted. Learning how to support loved ones and adjust to the fast-paced world of bipolar therapy can go a long way toward improving communication and family harmony. Family therapy sessions often address the specific difficulties that occur during episodes, allowing patients to address their feelings and behaviors and learn how to cope during their manic and depressive periods.

If family therapy does not work out, some families choose to turn to psychotherapy to help patients deal with each episode. One popular option is called “structured exposure.” Structured exposure works by teaching patients to observe the manic and depressive episodes for two hours each day without any special circumstances or props. Once these episodes are under control, sufferers may be encouraged to participate in group discussions about their experiences without the need for special circumstances or outlets.

Other options include medication as an adjunct to bipolar disorder therapy. The most commonly prescribed medications for bipolar disorder include atypical antipsychotics like risperdal and olanzapine. Mood stabilizers, including olanzapine, are sometimes combined with other medications in order to treat the negative side effects of mania or depression. Medications are only used as a temporary treatment approach; they do not address the cause of the symptoms and can ultimately result in a return to prior symptoms once the medication dose begins to wear off.

Bipolar disorder is difficult to live with. The negative mood swings that come with it make tasks and activities too uncomfortable to handle. In addition, the disorder can be challenging to work through and maintain. Many people who suffer from it also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, making the disorder even more daunting. If you or someone you know might be suffering from bipolar disorder, it’s important to talk to a qualified doctor or psychiatrist about the options available for treatment.