Bipolar disorder is a form of mental illness characterized by alternating cycles of depression and manic behavior. Though the disorder can be serious and debilitating, a number of strategies exist to effectively manage its symptoms. Through consultation with a health care professional, those suffering from bipolar disorder can develop a plan for coping with the extreme mood swings that are symptoms of this disease.
Medication
Doctors utilize a variety of medications in the treatment of bipolar disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health. Lithium, which is an element rather than a pharmaceutical compound, and anticonvulsant medications are both used as mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers are the first line of defense in finding a pharmaceutical approach to treating the disorder. Antidepressants are used in conjunction with mood stabilizers to ease the depression that occurs during certain cycles of the disease. Antipsychotics are sometimes helpful, especially in those who have experienced delusions or hallucinations in conjunction with their bipolar disorder.
Education and Support
The NIH states that counseling programs that include education and support for the bipolar individual’s family members are useful in strengthening the coping skills of families impacted by the disorder. Programs that teach healthy living, proper medication scheduling and life management can successfully reduce the chances of symptom relapses.
Treatment Technologies
Electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation are two treatment options that involve stimulating areas of the brain that release neurochemicals. These treatments are used during the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, has also been called “shock treatment” It involves the use of an electrical current to induce a small, controlled seizure while the patient is under anesthesia. ECT is the most effective treatment for depressive phases that do not respond to medication.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation involves the use of an electromagnetic device that sends magnetic pulses to mood-regulating areas of the brain. No anesthesia is required, and the side effects are usually limited to mild scalp discomfort, according to Helpguide.org.
Complementary Therapies
Used in conjunction with more traditional treatments, a number of alternative therapies are currently employed in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Light and dark therapy, acupuncture and mindfulness meditation have all shown promise as effective adjuncts to the roster of bipolar disorder treatments that are available, according to Helpguide.org.
