Bipolar disorder is a common mental health disorder that involves major mood swings between depression and mania. You may be wondering, what is the treatment for bipolar disorder, and how do I find it? Bipolar disorder, like other mental health disorders, is not considered curable. Instead, it is treated and managed through a combination of medication and therapy. Learn more about mental health services in Athens, Georgia by calling Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Two versions of bipolar exist. They share some similarities though they are distinct for the people who experience them. Bipolar disorder 1 is characterized by episodes of mania. Mania is a period of elevated mood that has both positive and negative sides. It makes people talkative, energetic, and irritable. Bipolar disorder 2 features hypomania, which is a less severe type of mania. Both conditions feature depression that offsets episodes of either mania or hypomania.
What Is the Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
What is the treatment for bipolar disorder? Treatment for bipolar disorder often helps remediate symptoms in even the most severe cases of the disorder. Comprehensive treatment plans for bipolar disorder tend to include the following elements:
- Psychotherapy
- Medications
- Coping mechanisms and self-regulation strategies
- Healthy lifestyle habits like nutrition and exercise
Since bipolar disorder is not considered curable, treatment is lifelong. Treatment for bipolar disorder can change over time as a person’s needs change. Yet it is likely that people who experience bipolar disorder will need some level of treatment the majority of the time. Finding the right combination of treatment options can take time. The severity of symptoms can also ebb and flow over time. Forging a strong partnership with trusted medical professionals is key to effectively managing treatment for bipolar disorder.
Therapies Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder
One of the biggest pieces of a treatment plan for bipolar disorder is therapy. Many different therapies exist that target the needs of people who struggle with bipolar disorder. These are psychoeducation, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, family-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy is designed to support a positive mood by working with a person’s natural biological and social rhythms. It emphasizes helping people stick to taking their medication as prescribed and on schedule, managing stressful life events, and reducing disruptions to a person’s routines.
Family-focused therapy is another approach specifically used to support someone with bipolar disorder and their caregiver. Most often, this involves a parent and their child. Family-focused therapy involves both parties in therapy to bolster communication and problem-solving skills in the partnership between child and caregiver.
Medications Used in Treating Bipolar Disorder
The other major category for treatment options is medications. There are a set of medications that have been found to alleviate symptoms stemming from bipolar disorder and cut down on the severity of swings between mania and depression. Mood stabilizers, neuroleptics, and antidepressants are all viable medications for treating bipolar disorders.
Mood stabilizers do exactly what their name indicates. They help people stabilize their mood so that the swings between highs and lows are not so intense and disruptive for daily functioning. Lithium is a common mood stabilizer that targets the problematic symptoms related to mania. Neuroleptics help reduce symptoms of both mania and depression. Lastly, antidepressants target the depressive side of bipolar disorder.
Often, people experience the greatest benefit through a combination of:
- Mood stabilizers
- Neuroleptics
- Antidepressants
Finding the right dosage and combination of these medications may take some trial and error as each person reacts differently to the medications that fall into these categories.
Discover Bipolar Disorder Treatment at Serenity Grove
Serenity Grove is a leading provider of comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment. Our caring professionals work hard to deliver personalized care to each of our clients. You need not let bipolar disorder dominate your life. Get your mood back under control by reaching out to us at 844.904.3485 to start bipolar disorder treatment today.
