What is the most common treatment for bipolar disorder?
The primary treatments for bipolar disorder include medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) to control symptoms, and also may include education and support groups....Medications may include:Mood stabilizers. ... Antipsychotics. ... Antidepressants. ... Antidepressant-antipsychotic. ... Anti-anxiety medications.
Can bipolar be cured?
There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but through behavior therapy and the right combination of mood stabilizers and other bipolar medicines, most people with bipolar disorder can live normal, productive lives and control the illness.
What is the first line treatment for bipolar disorder?
First-line treatments for bipolar depressive episodes include lithium or lamotrigine monotherapy. For more severe cases, can add second mood stabilizer (e.g., lamotrigine combined with lithium or divalproex). Atypical antipsychotics can be added for patients with psychotic features (e.g., delusions, hallucinations).
How do you treat someone with bipolar?
Here are 10 steps you can take to help someone with bipolar disorder:Educate yourself. The more you know about bipolar disorder, the more you'll be able to help. ... Listen. ... Be a champion. ... Be active in their treatment. ... Make a plan. ... Support, don't push. ... Be understanding. ... Don't neglect yourself.More items...
What are warning signs of bipolar disorder?
Common signs of bipolar disorderfeeling overly happy or “high” for long periods of time.feeling jumpy or “wired”having a reduced need for sleep.talking very fast, often with racing thoughts and rapid changes of topic.feeling extremely restless or impulsive.becoming easily distracted.More items...
Does bipolar worsen with age?
Bipolar may worsen with age or over time if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.
What are triggers for bipolar disorder?
Factors that may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder or act as a trigger for the first episode include:Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with bipolar disorder.Periods of high stress, such as the death of a loved one or other traumatic event.Drug or alcohol abuse.
What causes bipolar disorder?
Genes. Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and research suggests that this is mostly explained by heredity—people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. Many genes are involved, and no one gene can cause the disorder.
How long is treatment for bipolar?
Treatment options for bipolar disorder Episodes of depression tend to last longer, often 6 to 12 months. But with effective treatment, episodes usually improve within about 3 months. Most people with bipolar disorder can be treated using a combination of different treatments.
How do they test for bipolar?
To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends blood testing to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing your symptoms. If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of your symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.
Is bipolar disorder serious?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania) to lows (depression).
How long do bipolar episodes last?
Early signs (called “prodromal symptoms”) that you're getting ready to have a manic episode can last weeks to months. If you're not already receiving treatment, episodes of bipolar-related mania can last between three and six months. With effective treatment, a manic episode usually improves within about three months.