1. Get Medicated
Medication is the treatment of choice and the primary resource for coping with bipolar disorder, a type of mood disorder usually characterized by mood swings which alternate between mania or hypomania and depression or dysthymia. It is imperative to see a psychiatrist who can identify the type and subtype of bipolar disorder for successful treatment. Bipolar type I is characterized by severe mood cycling between major depression and mania, or by mania alone. Bipolar type II is characterized by mood cycling that alternates between depression and a mild form of mania known as hypomania. Those incorrectly diagnosed with unipolar depression and prescribed antidepressant medication will likely experience more rapid mood cycling, increased depression, or both.
A combination of antidepressant medications and mood stabilizers are often used by psychiatrists to treat bipolar disorder, although it usually takes time to fine-tune the types and amounts of medications used to produce the best results. Psychiatry is an art, not a science, and the best practitioners are often those with the most experience.
2. Seek Professional Support
The second component of successfully coping with Bipolar Disorder is finding professional support with a clinical psychologist or a counselor. Such professionals can offer psychoeducation about this disorder, monitor medication compliance, conduct cognitive-behavioral therapy to decrease depression during depressive episodes, and help the individual identify the preliminary signs of a manic episode. Cognitive therapy can often help the individual develop improved coping skills for dealing with the stressors which trigger mood cycling. Supportive guidance can also help the individual abstain from counterproductive behaviors such as alcohol use.
3. Enlist Social Support
It can be enormously helpful to find a local support group or enroll in group psychotherapy to cope with bipolar disorder. Psychoeducation about medications, the importance of medication adherence, and information about this disorder can be offered within a supportive environment. Group support can also alleviate the sense of isolation that individuals often feel after being diagnosed with this disorder. It may also be helpful to enlist the support of spouses, family and close friends to create a personal support network that promotes a healthy lifestyle and living environment. Spousal education and support for adherence to lifestyle changes can promote long-term recovery.
4. Persist, Persist, Persist
It can take a significant amount of time to find the right combination of medications and fine-tune the amounts to create the right balance for each individual.While it can be disheartening to experience reoccurrences of depression or mood cycling while undergoing treatment, individuals suffering from bipolar disorder should be aware that medications are commonly adjusted over time to decrease symptoms. Support, patience, good self care and persistence will eventually help the individual find long term relief.
