Treating Bipolar Depression
Posted on March 15, 2008
» Filed Under Mental Health |
To date, the bipolar disorder has no known cure. But several treatments have been developed over the years since the mental illness’ discovery, and many have been found to be quite effective. Often, all it takes for a patient to recover and return to a normal, productive lifestyle is an accurate diagnosis of the disorder, after which a tailor-made treatment regimen may be prescribed.
Medication has been found to be very effective in treating the some of the known symptoms, and is frequently included in treatment plans. “Mood stabilizers” are medications that are often effective in directly treating the symptoms, as well as in the therapy’s maintenance phases. The following include some of the more common medications used to this end:
• Lithium
• Antiepileptic drugs
• Conventional antipsychotics
• Newer antipsychotics
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medications
In addition to medication, a measure of psychosocial therapy is also suggested, such as family therapy, interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoeducation. The characteristics of the mental illness is not very well known to the public, and these therapies help people understand it better and know precisely how to cope with the stresses that trigger its onset.
While medications and psychosocial therapy is almost always present in a Bipolar disorder treatment plan, dosages and schedules may change as the patient’s condition gets better. When the mental illness regresses to a more manageable level, some aspects of the treatment plan may not need to be followed anymore, or changed to something more suited to the illness’ level. It’s difficult to find two cases that are exactly the same, so treatment and management varies from patient to patient. Professional help is almost certainly needed for the individual to enjoy lasting freedom from the symptoms.
Today’s treatments for Bipolar disorder are very effective, and newer and better treatments are being developed all the time. No matter the type of treatment, the management of Bipolar disorder usually comes in three parts:
• Alleviating the current episode or attack
• Preventing any recurrence of the episode
• Helping the patient recover
Another aspect worth noting is the fact that it has two distinct, polar-opposite conditions to treat: mania and depression. Most treatment plans today involve more than one medication to treat both conditions. Bipolar disorder is also a biological occurrence caused by genetic elements, and as such all treatment is basically long-term. Any negligence on the part of the patient or the medical professional may result in a relapse.
For more information on treating bipolar disorder please follow the link.
Tim Clark writes various health related articles, most of them on his website on bi polar disorder. His other articles can be found here, bipolar disorder articles.
Article Author :Tim_F_Clark
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