Treatment Options?

Currently, there are no cures for bipolar disorder, although constant research is underway on learning more about the disorder and what possible treatment options people with bipolar disorder have available for them.  Regardless of the type of bipolar disorder one may have, a successful treatment execution plan will gain better control of their cycles and moods when challenged with such episodes.

Bipolar disorder treatment options must be taken seriously and considered a long-term aspect of dealing with the illness.  Common practice involving bipolar disorder treatment and maintenance schedules include both paths of medicinal and psychological therapeutic plan in order to obtain an effective plan of defense against recurring symptoms, relapse and minimizing the severity of the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Medication Treatment
When diagnosed, bipolar medications may be prescribed by either a medical doctor (MD), psychiatrist, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners or other psychiatric specialists.  It is important to understand what options are available and know your state’s licensing guidelines for obtaining such prescriptions and information.  As with any other medicinal opportunity, not all people will react the same way to their prescriptions, due to this challenge, it may be necessary to attempt different types of medications and treatment options prior to finding a successful path to medication treatment.

Keeping a detailed journal of emotions, feelings and behavioral patterns while taking new medications may prove helpful while attempting to find a correct medicinal approach in maintaining bipolar disorder.  Another tool in offering assistance to your doctor is to keep what is commonly labeled as a, ‘Daily Life Chart’ that should record such traits as mood symptoms, life events, stress and sleep patterns and current treatments which may offer a very detailed look into the daily life of a bipolar individual.  The Daily Life Chart can be reviewed by a doctor and/or psychiatrist to better understand the unique needs and patterns of the individual.

Here is a basic summary of medications that may be prescribed or considered for treatment:

  • Mood Stabilizers: Mood stabilization medication is typically the first course of action for dealing with bipolar disorder.  In most cases, individuals with bipolar disorder will remain on mood stabilizers for years.  To offer a deeper level of information on the possible medications that may be utilized as mood stabilizers, here is a list of those medications:
    • Lithium, or Eskalith or Lithobid was the first drug approved by the U.S Food and Drug Association for treatment of mania and has been proven to be very effective in controlling the symptoms of both the manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder.
    • Valproic acid or divalproex sodium (Depakote) is a popular alternative to Lithium and was approved by the FDA for manic episode treatment in 1995.

It’s very important to note that, valproic acid, lamotrigine and other anticonvulsant medications carry a critical FDA warning with them stating that there may be an increase in risk of suicidal thoughts and/or behavior.  Those taking these medications should be watched very closely for any significant changes in their behavior or moods.

  • Antidepressant Medications: Antidepressant medication is commonly prescribed to manage the depression symptoms of bipolar disorder.  It is not uncommon for individuals with bipolar disorder to have a prescription of both an antidepressant and mood stabilizing agent as taking only an antidepressant may cause an increase in risk of a bipolar individual experiencing rapid cycling symptoms or switching from mania to hypo-mania.