Bipolar I disorder is characterized by extreme highs and lows known as mania and major depression. The person does not have to experience major depression to meet the criteria for this disorder. Bipolar II disorder is different from bipolar I in that someone suffering from bipolar II disorder experiences hypomania instead of mania. Manic episodes are extremely serious and can result in a psychiatric hospitalization.
Medication
Most mental health professionals and doctors recommend that patients use medication to stabilize their mood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, most medical professionals and psychiatrists will start a patient on a mood stabilizer as the first option. If mood stabilizers aren't effective, they might try atypical antipsychotics or antidepressants. Each person reacts differently to medications. One medication may result in negative side effects for one person and be successful for someone else. It may take time before finding the right drug or right combination of drugs to treat bipolar disorder as this disorder usually entails long-term treatment with medication.
Hospitalization
Some people who experience manic phases or major depression will need to be hospitalized due to suicidal ideation or participating in risky behaviors. One of the symptoms of bipolar I disorder is risky behaviors such as driving at high speeds, drinking and driving, using illegal drugs and having unprotected sex with strangers. During a psychiatric hospitalization, the mental health and medical professionals use medication and therapy to stabilize the person over a short period of time.
Psychotherapy
The Mayo Clinic reports that the most common type of individual therapy used to treat bipolar I disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy. Therapists who practice this type of therapy help their clients understand how their thoughts affect their emotions, which then affect their behaviors. They then assist their clients in combating negative and irrational thinking to control their emotions and behaviors. For instance, someone who struggles with bipolar I disorder my find himself having hopeless thoughts during a major depressive episode, which results in feeling sad and worthless. This could lead to behaviors such as not eating, staying in bed all day and having difficulty sleeping. The therapist would help the person understand this pattern and teach him how to change it. Other forms of therapy used to treat bipolar I disorder include family therapy, group therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the Mayo Clinic, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used in the treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder, especially with people who are suicidal or experiencing a manic episode. It can be utilized with pregnant women who can't take medication or when someone doesn't respond to medication and therapy. This type of therapy involves passing electrical currents through the person's brain to reduce the symptoms of the disorder.
