How can bipolar diorder be treated?

Answer 1

Medication + Psychotherapy = Best Treatment Results

At the present time, the treatment option that has by far the best outcome is medication in addition to psychotherapy. I have personally done hundreds of hours of research on this subject, because I have Bipolar 1 and would absolutely love it if a "cure" could be found. So far, this is it.

There is no one medication or combination of medications that works best, because we all respond differently to different meds. I am on three medications (Lamictal, Tegretol, and Seroquel) as well as seeing a therapist on a regular basis (currently every other month). The medications help keep my mood "stable." My therapist helps me think things through and come up with coping strategies.

Answer 2

My wife was diagnosed 16 months ago. She is a rapid cycling type 1 bipolar with mixed episodes. She lost both of her brothers and her sister to suicide, so she also has PTSD. Treatment must include therapy and medication. Right now she takes at least 5 different meds every day, 15 pills in all.

My wife is still not stable, finding the right med combination can be hard. You are on the right track just posting your question here. Find info, and maybe visit some message boards and chat rooms for bipolars. My wife learned a lot from the Bipolar section at http://www.nami.org. Then she was manic and got banned from the message boards. I built http://www.bpbabble.com as a site where she could message and chat without getting banned for potty mouth. :-)

To answer your question though, "Yes! Bipolar CAN be treated." Treatment will take time, and it will take medication. Tell your Doc the truth about what meds you are and are not taking. Lying to your shrink makes their job much harder. If they think that you are taking Geodon, but you haven't touched the bottle, he or she will not be using complete information.

All the best...

Derek

Answer 3

Medication is NEEDED for treating bipolar disorder. Lithium, antidepressants + lithium (for both depressive and manic symptoms), antipsychotic drugs like Olanzapine, and anticonvulsants like divalproex sodium (for treating acute mania) are used. Unfortunately, there is no (lasting) cure. And these drugs have very unpleasant side effects, especially lithium, which can be toxic.

Psychosocial treatment can be effective in support of the meds. Patient education helps them comply with their meds. Cognitive therapy relieves the depressive aspect of the disorder, if present. Family education enhances patients' social support and helps prevent relapse by preventing the hostile expression of negative emotions within the family (through better communication).

Because of the need for meds, I would recommend consulting a psychiatrist more than a psychologist.

Answer 4

I was on Lithium for 23 years-no pshychiatric follow up-just regular doctors visits once a year but blood tests every 4 months. In 2004-I was re-assessed and told they did not believe I ever had it That I could go to the local clinic if I needed help-but I never have- DJ

Answer 5

it is treated with different combinations of anti depressants and mood stabilizers. it all depends on the person and how severe they have it as to which meds, and how much they take. most people with bipolar disorder will seek counseling as well to help with the stress.

Answer 6

Lithium

Answer 7

Yes, there are medications to treat. To stop certain brain receptors from reacting the way they do. There are always side effects though.

Answer 8

There are many medications available, a visit to a good psychiatrist would be the best place to start.

Answer 9

Medication treatments of many types are available. It just needs to be confirmed and prescribed.

Answer 10

I take Lamictal and Seroquel. See a psychiatrist.