Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows also known as depression. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition but there is treatment that can help manage symptoms. Treatment of bipolar disorder is best guided by a psychiatrist. Other professionals that may assist include social worker, psychologist and psychiatric nurse. The treatment methods include:
- Psychotherapy: This treatment can be provided Indvidual, family or group settings. There are several types of therapy which include interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, cognitive behavioral, psychoeducation and family-based therapy. Psychotherapy helps on identifying unhealth behaviors, negative beliefs and replacing them with positive beliefs and behaviors. It also helps you learn effective ways to manage stress and cope with upsetting situations
- Medications: There is medication that can help with bipolar disorder. Sometimes you might need to try out different medications before you find what’s best for you. When you are taking medication for bipolar, your healthcare provider must explain the risks, side effects and benefits of the medication. The medications generally prescribed to treat bipolar include:
- Mood stabilizers: Mood-stabilizing medication help to manage manic or hypomanic episodes. The types of mood stabilizers include Lithium, valproic acid, carbamazepine and Lamotrigine. Lithium is the most commonly used drug to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium reduces the symptoms of mania within 2 weeks of therapy.
- Antidepressants: Antidepressants medication is also sometimes prescribed to treat depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. The antidepressants can be combined with a mood stabilizer to prevent a triggering manic episode. Antidepressants are often paired with another medication because taking only antidepressants can trigger a manic episode.
- Neuroleptic medication: Healthcare providers often prescribe second generation or atypical neuroleptics in combination with a mood stabilizer for people with bipolar disorder. These help with both manic and depressive episodes.
Side effects of medication
Side effects of bipolar disorder medications are common and vary by medication. Never stop taking your medication unless your healthcare provider tells you to because abruptly stopping taking your medication can cause severe side effects or trigger severe episodes. The most common side effects of bipolar include:
- drowsiness
- weight gain
- Akathisia (feelings of restlessness and agitation with a compelling need to move, rock or pace)
- metabolic dysregulation, including abnormal lipid levels, high blood pressure and high blood sugar
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Quit drinking alcohol and/ recreational drugs and tobacco. Alcohol, drugs and tobacco may interfere with your medication. They can also trigger an episode.
- Maintain a health sleeping schedule
- Exercise
- manage stress and maintain healthy relationships
- keep a diary or mood chart: Keeping a record of your daily moods, treatments, sleep, activities and feelings may help identify triggers and effective treatment when treatment needs to be changed