Bipolar disorders produce both mania and depression. Each of these illnesses affects you in its own specific way. However, a bipolar disorder treatment program can help you recover from any of these disorders. What are your options for the treatment of bipolar disorder? Depending on your situation, you may benefit from several kinds of medication. You may also benefit from several different kinds of psychotherapy.
Bipolar Disorder Basics
There are three main bipolar disorders. The first of these conditions is bipolar I disorder. It’s characterized by severe bouts of mania and depression. Bipolar II disorder also produces severe depressive episodes. However, its manic effects are less intense and are known as hypomania. The third bipolar disorder is known as cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia. It produces relatively mild bouts of mania and depression. However, these bouts last much longer than the episodes found in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.
Medications for Bipolar Disorder
Medication options for bipolar disorder can help you manage your condition. That’s true regardless of the specific illness affecting you. Five types of medication are used to treat bipolar symptoms. The two most common choices are mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. You may also receive an:
- Antidepressant
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Antidepressant-antipsychotic
Each of these options has its own typical uses. For example, mood stabilizers help you control bouts of mania. Antipsychotics can help ease persistent symptoms of mania or depression. Antidepressants help reduce depressive episodes when used alongside antipsychotics or mood stabilizers. Anti-anxiety meds temporarily relieve anxious feelings in people with bipolar disorder. An antidepressant-psychotic contains two medications. It can potentially ease your depression and stabilize your mood.
Caveats for Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder
Medications for bipolar disorder can be invaluable. However, it’s essential to keep certain things in mind. First, it can take time to find the right medication for you. It can also take a few days to a few weeks for that medication to start relieving your symptoms. In addition, bipolar medications often come with significant side effects. Doctors must consider these effects. In some cases, your treatment benefits may outweigh them. However, this is not always the case.
Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder – Psychotherapy
The typical treatment plan for bipolar disorder also includes therapy. One of the most widely used options is cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT. CBT helps you identify beliefs and behaviors that can worsen your bipolar disorder. It also shows you how to change those beliefs and behaviors positively. In addition, CBT helps you improve your ability to cope with the effects of bipolar illness in everyday life.
Several other kinds of therapy may play a role in successful treatment. Potential options include:
- Psychoeducation
- Family-focused therapy
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, or IPSRT
Psychoeducation helps you and your family learn more about bipolar disorder. Family-focused therapy enables you to make the most of your available family support. In IPSRT, the emphasis is on creating stable daily routines. These reliable routines can potentially improve your ability to manage your moods.
Get More Information on Treating Bipolar Disorder at Memphis Recovery Centers
Want to learn more about available treatment options for bipolar disorder? Memphis Recovery is here for you. We’ll explain in detail how medication can support your efforts. We’ll also explain the crucial role of therapy in treating bipolar disorder.
At Memphis Recovery, we specialize in dual diagnosis treatment. This approach helps you overcome bipolar illness that’s accompanied by addiction. Such support may be essential. Why? Substance problems and bipolar disorder often go hand in hand. For more information, call us today at 901-272-7751. You can also reach us through our online form. We’re dedicated to helping you recover your mental health and well-being.
