Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
The primary treatment for bipolar disorder is effective supervision and management of symptoms. The treatments recommended by professional doctors are combination of medical and psychological techniques. Various medications are suggested for bipolar disorder which to some people may require not only one but combination of two or more dosages of various drugs depending on the patient’s need.
Medications in treatment for bipolar disorder
Medications are oftentimes referred to as mood stabilizers used to effectively stabilize, mitigate or prevent mania and depression attacks. Mood stabilizers with known effectiveness are lithium salts – carbonate and citrate and various anticonvulsants like lamotrigine, carbamazepine, Valproic acid and fluoxetine. Although lithium is a helpful mood stabilizer, side effects thereof are water retention, high blood pressure and constipation thus regular blood tests are required to decide on the right lithium therapeutic dose. The FDA approved atypical antipsychotics that are used to cure acute mania include quetiapine, olanzapine and risperidone. However, the side effects of drugs, especially if given in high dosages, as treatment for bipolar disorder includes weight gain, gastrointestinal upset such as nausea and diarrhea and memory problems, among other effects. Anticonvulsant drugs, however, cause weight gain, sedation, electrolyte disturbances and other effects if given in higher dosage. However, if two or more are combined, the anticonvulsants result in lower doses thus, negligible side effects are noted.
Effects of treatment for bipolar disorder
The side effects of atypical antipsychotics include sedation and metabolic problems such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, extrapyramidal, restlessness, tardive dyskinesia and weight gain. Both the attending physician and the patient need be vigilant with the administration of the drugs as treatment for bipolar disorder to possibly control and minimize symptoms and side effects of drugs. Reduced dosage or change of the drug are two possible actions that can be decided by the professional to lessen, if not eliminate, the side effects.
Antidepressant and temper stabilizers’ combinations used in treatment for bipolar disorder are more helpful since they alleviate symptoms of the manic and depressive signs associated with the bipolar ailment. Continuous taking of medication combined with effective therapy and healthy living style such as regular exercise, healthy and nutritious diet for which Omega-3 fatty acids are recommended to be given to patients, are best to minimize the incurrence of frequent attacks.
In treatment for bipolar disorder, it is important that the patient and the patient’s relatives admit that the signs noticed are those of the ailment. Thus, therapy can be given by a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or licensed counselor that may prove helpful. Show of love and care and other important activities to develop the emotional and spiritual well-being and reduce stress of persons believed to be showing bipolar disorder signs are proven more effective since the patient feels secured. Moreover, healthy living with regular exercise and nutritious food intake will make the person’s mind and soul fully nourished that will inhibit the brain from entertaining unhealthy emotions and feelings. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy is more often the treatment for bipolar disorder patients.
The following video on treatment for bipolar disorder should help you quickly gather some tips on treatment: