Treatment :
Almost all people with bipolar disorder-even those with the most severe forms
can obtain substantial stabilization of their mood swings.
One medication, lithium, is usually very effective in
controlling mania an
preventing the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes.
More recently, the anticonvulsants carbamazepine and valproate have
also been found useful, especially in more refractory bipolar episodes.
For depression, several types of antidepressants can be useful when
combined with lithium, carbamazepine, or valproate.
Electroconvulsive therapy (electroshock) is often helpful in the treatment
of severe depression and/or mixed mania that does not respond to
medications.
As an adjunct to medications, psychotherapy is often helpful in providing
support, education, and guidance to the patient and his or her family.
Getting Help
:
Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychiatrist
skilled
in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatric
social workers, can assist in providing he patient and his or her family with
additional approaches to treatment.
People with manic-depressive illness often need help to get help.
Often people with this disorder do not recognize how impaired they are or
blame their problems on some cause other than mental illness.
People with bipolar disorder need strong encouragement from family
andfriends to seek treatment.
Family physicians can play an important role for such referral.
If this does not work, loved ones must take the patient for proper mental
health evaluation and treatment. If the person is in the midst of a severe
episode, he or she may have to be committed to a hospital for his or her
own protection and for much needed treatment.
Anyone who is considering suicide needs immediate attention, preferably
from a mental health professional or a physician; school counselors and
members of the clergy can also assist in detecting and/or making a referral
for
more definitive assessment or treatment. With appropriate help and
reatment, it is possible to overcome suicidal tendencies.
It is important for patients to understand that bipolar disorder will not go away,
and that continued compliance with treatment is needed to keep the disease
under control.
Ongoing encouragement and support are needed after the person obtains
treatment, because it may take a while to discover what therapeutic regimen
is best for that particular patient.
Many people receiving treatment also benefit from joining mutual
support groups.
Families and friends of people with bipolar disorder can also benefit from
mutual support groups.
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For more information please go to my links or my Webrings
page,
there you will find links
to sites that deal with affective disorders.
