Bipolar disorder has several forms, including bipolar 1 disorder, with mania and major depression; bipolar II disorder, with hypomania and major depression; and cyclothymia, with hypomania and mild depression, reports HelpGuide.org. Mental health professionals will direct their clinical approach depending on the form of bipolar disorder.
Basics
Treatments for bipolar disorder might vary slightly depending on the manifestation of the disorder, but generally the most effective form of treatment is the combined use of medication and psychotherapy. Bipolar is a lifelong disorder that will need to be treated as a chronic condition. Treatment can reduce and ward off episodes of depression and bipolar, but it cannot cure the disorder.
Considerations
When mental health professionals begin a treatment plan for a person with bipolar disorder, they take into consideration that the person might also have other co-occurring disorders. Mental health professionals will take the time to rule out the presence of other disorders that are commonly found with bipolar disorder. These disorders can include substance abuse or addiction, anxiety disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, notes the MayoClinic.com
Treatment
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, or AACAP, reports that a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that adults whose treatment plan included the use of medications along with intense behavioral therapy were more likely to get well sooner and maintain their good health for longer periods.
HelpGuide.org suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy helps a person with bipolar disorder understand what triggers his episodes of mania and depression, how to manage his symptoms and developing ways to work through disorder. Family therapy is also used in combination with other treatments to help family members work through stress related to the disorder, communication problems and conflicts that arise, notes the MayoClinic.com. Medications that are generally used include lithium, anticonvulsants and antidepressants, reports the MayoClinic.com. Antipsychotics are used at times when psychosis develops.
Significance
According to the AACAP, providing the person and the family of the person with bipolar disorder with an education on the disorder helps maintain the treatment recommendations; which helps to reduce episodes and/or the severity of the episodes.
Often times, therapists will spend time in the treatment process helping a person with bipolar and those close to her to learn the signs and symptoms of the disorder. This will help to quickly recognize when an episode is coming on so help can be obtained immediately, notes the AACAP.
Warning
A person with bipolar disorder might, at times, feel he no longer needs his medication or he doesn't like the side effects; resulting in him stopping his medication or reducing the dosage without consulting the prescribing physician. Doing this could result in the immediate consequences of a depressive or manic episode. Also, stopping and starting treatment medications for bipolar disorder over time could reduce their effectiveness.
Hospitalization is always an option in the treatment of bipolar disorder. If a person's manic or depressive episodes result in suicidal thoughts or psychosis, a mental health professional might have her admitted to the hospital psychiatric ward for evaluation.
