Treatment FAQ

what treatment plans can i use for a person that has a bipolar disorder

by May O'Keefe Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves trying to change your patterns of thinking, is effective for bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychological Association.
  • Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) IPSRT, an adjunctive therapy for individuals with mood disorders, outlines techniques to improve medication adherence, manage stressful life events, and reduce disruptions in social ...
  • Family-Focused Therapy. This can also be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychological Association. ...

You'll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control manic or hypomanic episodes. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal). Antipsychotics.Feb 16, 2021

Which type of therapy is best for treating bipolar disorder?

  • The goal of maintenance treatment is to prevent future manic or depressive episodes.
  • Because of the relapsing and remitting nature of bipolar I disorder, maintenance treatment is indicated after the first manic episode.
  • The focus of maintenance treatment is long-term medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.

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What should I include in my Bipolar disorder treatment plan?

Important things to know before getting treatment for bipolar disorder include:

  • there are specially trained mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists who can help you with bipolar disorder
  • you need a thorough check from a health professional before treatment is prescribed
  • specially prescribed medication is the most effective way to treat and manage bipolar disorder

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What are some common treatment options for bipolar disorder?

  • Anticonvulsants. Many medications used to treat seizures are also used as mood stabilizers. ...
  • Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) SGAs are commonly used to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder and are often paired with other medications, including mood stabilizers.
  • Standard Antidepressants. ...

What are the different therapies for bipolar disorder?

Treatment - Bipolar disorder

  • Treatment options for bipolar disorder. If a person is not treated, episodes of bipolar-related mania can last for between 3 and 6 months. ...
  • Medicines for bipolar disorder. ...
  • Lithium. ...
  • Anticonvulsant medicines. ...
  • Antipsychotic medicines. ...
  • Rapid cycling. ...
  • Learning to recognise triggers. ...
  • Psychological treatment. ...
  • Pregnancy and bipolar medicines. ...

What is the best form of treatment for bipolar disorder?

The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Most people take more than one drug, like a mood-stabilizing drug and an antipsychotic or antidepressant.

Which care can you do to a person with a bipolar disorder?

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...

Can bipolar disorder be managed?

Can bipolar disorder 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.

Can bipolar be treated without medication?

Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a range of lifestyle changes can help people with bipolar disorder to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

What is the best way to manage bipolar symptoms?

Education – Managing symptoms and preventing complications begins with a thorough knowledge of your illness. Education is a key component of treatment. The more you and your loved ones know about bipolar disorder, the better able you will be to avoid problems and deal with setbacks.

Why do people with bipolar need medication?

Most people with bipolar disorder need medication in order to keep their symptoms under control. When medication is continued on a long-term basis, it can reduce the frequency and severity of bipolar mood episodes and sometimes prevent them entirely. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you and your doctor will work together to find the right drug or combination of drugs for your needs. Because everyone responds to medication differently, you may have to try several different medications before you find one that relieves your symptoms.

What is the difference between cyclothymia and bipolar?

If you ever have a manic episode, your diagnosis would be changed to bipolar I disorder. Cyclothymia (hypomania and mild depression) – Cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar disorder, cyclothymia consists of cyclical mood swings.

How does bipolar disorder work?

Effective treatment of bipolar disorder provides relief of most symptoms, reduces the intensity of many manic episodes and allows you to function in your daily life.

What is the most severe form of bipolar disorder?

Your doctor will look carefully to determine where your symptoms fit. Bipolar I Disorder (mania and depression) – Bipolar I disorder is the classic form of the illness, as well as the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode.

Why is bipolar disorder misdiagnosed?

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed. One cause for this is that many individuals with bipolar disorder seek treatment when they are in the most depressive state. When they’re in the manic stage, they don’t realize the problem is presenting itself. Most individuals with bipolar disorder are suffering from symptoms a greater percentage ...

How do you know if you have bipolar disorder?

According to Help Guide, these are indicators that your depression is really bipolar disorder: 1 You’ve experienced repeated episodes of major depression. 2 You had your first episode of major depression before age 25. 3 You have a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder. 4 When you’re not depressed, your mood and energy levels are higher than most people’s. 5 When you’re depressed, you oversleep and overeat. 6 Your episodes of major depression are short (less than 3 months) 7 You’ve lost contact with reality while depressed. 8 You’ve had postpartum depression before. 9 You’ve developed mania or hypomania while taking an antidepressant. 10 Your antidepressant stopped working after several months. 11 You’ve tried 3 or more antidepressants without success.

How long does bipolar treatment last?

Generally, these longer-term interventions last 6-9 months and can be conducted in single family or multi-family formats.

What is Evidence-Based Practice for Bipolar Disorder?

Research has shown that the treatments listed here are effective for people with bipolar disorder and are considered to be evidence-based. Evidence-based treatments for bipolar disorder include:

How does CBT help with bipolar?

This can help individuals with bipolar disorder minimize the types of stress that can lead to a hospitalization. CBT also helps individuals learn how to identify maladaptive thoughts, logically challenge them, and replace them with more adaptive thoughts. CBT further targets depressive symptoms by encouraging patients to schedule pleasurable ...

How does CBT help with depression?

CBT further targets depressive symptoms by encouraging patients to schedule pleasurable activities. Individuals who receive both CBT and medication treatment have better outcomes than those who do not receive CBT as an additional treatment. CBT may be done one-on-one or in a group setting.

What is behavioral therapy?

Behavioral therapy focuses on a person’s actions and aims to change unhealthy behavior patterns. CBT is used as an addition to medication and includes psychoeducation about the disorder as well as problem-solving techniques.

How does IPSRT help with manic symptoms?

When combined with medication, IPSRT can help individuals increase their targeted lifestyle routines and reduce both depressive and manic symptoms.

What is IPSRT therapy?

In Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), patients first learn to recognize the relationship between their circadian rhythms and daily routines, as well as their mental health symptoms. IPSRT then focuses on stabilizing sleep/wake cycles, maintaining regular patterns of daily activities (i.e., sleeping, eating, exercise, and other stimulating activities), and addressing potential problems that may disrupt these routines.

What is the first line of treatment for bipolar disorder?

Individuals with this disease may also benefit from psychosocial treatment, experts say. “The first line of intervention for bipolar disorder is medication ,” says Simon Rego, PsyD, chief psychologist at Montefiore Medical Center and associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

What is a good outcome for bipolar disorder?

A good treatment outcome is one in which the mood episodes are stabilized and the patient is equipped with the cognitive and behavioral skills necessary to become more aware of triggers and how to manage them more effectively, Dr. Rego says. “In the case of Bipolar 1 Disorder, we may also measure a good outcome by a decrease in hospitalizations as well as a reengagement in work, better interpersonal relationships, and an overall improvement in the quality of life,” he explains.

What is family based therapy?

Family-Focused Therapy. This can also be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychological Association. 3 Family members are taught to recognize the warning signs of either a manic or a depressive episode, Dr. Roane says, and both family members and patients are taught better communication skills.

How long is the Bipolar quiz?

Take our 2-minute Bipolar quiz to see if you may benefit from further diagnosis and treatment.

What are the strategies used in CBT?

Strategies that are used in CBT include role-playing to get ready for interactions that could be problematic, facing fears directly rather than practicing avoidance, and learning techniques to calm and relax the mind and body .

Can psychosocial treatment help with bipolar?

Psychosocial treatment can not only improve a patient’s adherence to medication but can increase their understanding of the illness, says David Roane, MD, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “A person with bipolar may lose their job or their relationships with other people,” Dr. Roane says. “Psychosocial treatments can help them readjust.”

Can CBT help with bipolar?

There is a mindfulness component to this form of therapy that is also useful to patients.”. CBT can help a person with bipolar to recognize the warning signs of a mood change and can help them learn to change unhealthy patterns of behavior, Dr. Krakower explains. Article continues below.

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