People suffering from bipolar I experience moments of extreme energy, euphoria and hyperactivity, which may end with delusions that render them unable to function. Those with bipolar II tend to move and speak slowly, sleep incessantly, feel worthless and lose touch with reality. The treatment plan is typically the same for bipolar I and II as both disorders interfere with a person's ability to function daily. Typical treatment involves medication in combination with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
Medication
A number of medications are available to treat bipolar II, and patients may need to try several options to find one that works. In some cases, doctors may combine more than one to ensure success. Medications are prescribed based on a patient's symptoms, and the goal of medication is to stabilize and balance a patient's mood.
Lithium is an effective drug in that it stabilizes the patient's mood to control the extreme the extreme highs and lows that can occur with bipolar II. Certain anticonvulsants, which are medications doctors prescribe for seizures, also help with mood stabilization. Antidepressants can help those who suffer from the depression caused by bipolar II, but in some cases they can cause manic episodes. This may be prevented by combining one antidepressant with another mood stabilizer. The doses and side effects of each medication vary, which is why patients may need to try different medications before the right medication or combination of medications is found.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The Mayo Clinic explains that cognitive behavioral therapy is a common type of individual therapy for those with bipolar disorder. Its goal is to help the patients separate themselves from negative thoughts and behaviors by first identifying them and then by learning how to replace them with healthy, positive thoughts. The therapist also assists her patients in identifying what causes their shifts in moods, while devising a plan to help them cope with these triggers when they arise. The length of time therapy lasts is dependent on each patient and may vary with each individual.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on specific relationship issues in patients' lives by improving the way patients interact with the important people in their lives. Stress is a major trigger for people with bipolar disorder, and HelpGuide explains that the focus of this therapy is to reduce the stress.
Social rhythm therapy is often combined with interpersonal therapy, since those with bipolar disorder tend to have a sensitive biological clock. The internal clock can be affected by disruptions in daily life known as social rhythms, and undergoing this therapy helps stabilize these rhythms. These rhythms include eating, sleeping and exercise, according to HelpGuide. Once stabilization is achieved, the biological regulation responsible for mood can then stabilize mood as well.
Family-Focused Therapy
Bipolar disorder can cause strain on family and marital relationships. The goal of family-focused therapy is to help restore a healthy home environment. Its focus is on teaching family members about the disease and how they can better cope with the symptoms it spurs. Improving communication between patients and their family members is another goal of this treatment.
Follow the Treatment Plan
Aside from medications and therapy, patients need to participate in their treatment plans by understanding and following them. Taking medications as prescribed is vital, even when it appears as though the symptoms are gone. Discontinuing medications abruptly without doctor's approval may not only worsen the symptoms of bipolar II, it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Attending every therapy session is just as important.
Monitor Symptoms
Monitoring the symptoms is imperative for patients who wish to remain on an even keel and remain well. As HelpGuide explains, when obvious signs of a mood swing occur, it is often too late to stop it, and patients experience a full-blown episode. However, patients can keep a daily journal of their feelings and moods along with any experiences or episodes that trigger their moods. Patients should document energy levels, sleeping patterns and thoughts as well. When a change occurs, a patient can be ready with a coping technique that can prevent a minor mood change from becoming a major mania or depressive episode.
One example of a coping technique is deep breathing. When stress strikes, patients should close their eyes, take a deep breath in slowly through their nose as they count to 10, and then exhale slowly through their nose as they count to 10. As they do this, it is helpful to picture a happy or serene place. This technique can be done as many times as necessary until a feeling of relaxation takes over.
