Therapies for Bipolar Disorder

There are several therapies available for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Medications, talk therapy, peer support and changes to one's lifestyle are the most commonly utilized, according to the National institutes of Mental Health and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance . When all these therapies are used, the results are a more orderly life with less episodes or less severe episodes of extreme mania and extreme depression.

There are several medications when used alone or in combination have proven most effective. Mood stabilizers do what the name implies: they stabilize the highs and lows that define bipolar disorder. Some of these types of medicine are also anticonvulsants because they also can act as mood stabilizers.

Antidepressants treat the low or depressive cycle of bipolar disorder.

Atypical anti-psychotics are used to address the symptoms of the high or manic cycle of bipolar disorder. They help slow racing thoughts even if the individual is not delusional or hallucinating.

Because the thyroid gland exerts an influence on people's mood, it is important to have testing done to ensure the level of thyroid hormones is optimal for recovery.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy provides education and support to people with bipolar disorder. A well trained therapist can help a person make sense of their behavior within the context of bipolar disorder. Some of the different types of talk therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and psychoeducation.

Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing thought patterns and behaviors that are harmful to their well-being. Family-focused therapy includes family members in the patient's therapy sessions. It enables the family to acquire new coping, communication and problem solving skills. It also helps the family recognize changing cycles earlier and to assist their relative to recognize the change so that the professional treatment can be adjusted earlier, if necessary. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy helps individuals manage their routines and improve their interpersonal relationships. Stable daily patterns and regular sleep cycles may help head off manic episodes. Psychoeducation informs persons with bipolar disorder about the disorder and how it is treated. It helps the individual become aware of symptoms of relapse enabling them to obtain treatment early in the process. It is most often done in a group therapy sessions and family members usually find it informative and helpful.

Medication therapies work best when administered by a psychiatrist. They are specially trained to recognize the effectiveness of psychotropic medicines and which combinations of medicines work best. Talk therapy can be obtained from a variety of trained professionals. Licensed social workers, psychologists and professional counselors are all capable of providing these services. It is important to find a therapist to whom you can relate. A good therapeutic relationship facilitates reaching the goals set by the patient in combination with the therapist.

Medication and therapy go through cycles just as bipolar disorder has cycles. At times you may be making progress at every visit. Other times you may need a change in medication or hit a "plateau" in therapy. It is important to maintain a regular schedule with both these types of therapy, even when you don't feel like you're making progress.

Peer support is that which you get from others with bipolar disorder. By meeting in groups people can learn from others who have been in the same stage of recovery. They can, in turn, help others who may be in a stage they have already experienced. There are peer groups in many communities and almost all cities. They can be found by a web search using terms such as "bipolar disorder support" or by contacting local mental health care centers. Discussion forums and live chat rooms for peer support can also be found on the web. Bipolar disorder has no cure. However, with proper treatment people can control their mood cycles and other symptoms. Since bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition persons with this diagnosis need long-term treatment to achieve control.