Category FAQs Search : Bipolar Disorder
Question: Bipolar treatment and management:
Answer: Bipolar disorder symptoms commonly improve with treatment. Medication is the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment, though talk therapy (psychotherapy) can help many patients learn about their illness and adhere to medications, preventing future mood episodes.
Medications known as “mood stabilizers” (e.g., lithium) are the most commonly prescribed type of medications for bipolar disorder. These medications are believed to correct imbalanced brain signaling. Because bipolar disorder is a chronic illness in which mood episodes typically recur, ongoing preventive treatment is recommended. Bipolar disorder treatment is individualized; people with bipolar disorder may need to try different medications before finding what works best for them.
In some cases, when medication and psychotherapy have not helped, an effective treatment known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used. ECT involves several rounds of a brief electrical current applied to the scalp while the patient is under anesthesia, leading to a short, controlled seizure. ECT-induced seizures are believed to remodel brain signaling pathways.
Since bipolar disorder can cause serious disruptions in a person’s daily life and create a stressful family situation, family members may also benefit from professional resources, particularly mental health advocacy and support groups. From these sources, families can learn strategies for coping, participating actively in the treatment, and obtaining support.
(Source: American Psychiatric Association, 11 May 2021)
Source Link: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders