Bipolar Treatment

Those with bipolar disorder will be struggling with the question of how to manage their illness for their entire lives. The most common bipolar treatment involves the use of various prescription medications under the care of a psychiatrist in order to decrease the severity of bipolar mania and depression. Mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants used in various combinations can provide some much needed relief.

A psychiatrist's first goal is to decrease the severity of emotional shifts with the use of a mood stabilizer. The most commonly prescribed medication for bipolar disorder is lithium. This is specifically true for those with significant manic symptoms and those where suicide is a serious concern. Although it is relatively inexpensive and often helps people gain more control over their emotions, it can also affect kidney function. Because of this, regular blood tests are necessary to monitor an individual's personal health.

For those who have risk factors that make them unable to take lithium, psychiatrists will often choose an anticonvulsant for treatment. Their use is fairly new in the treatment of bipolar disorder, and they are having many positive effects on the lives of their users. These anticonvulsants, originally prescribed to treat those with epilepsy, migraines, and other brain disorders, stabilize mood by calming the brain's activity. Probably the most prescribed anticonvulsant that is currently being used to treat bipolar disorder is Lamictal. This medication was the first treatment to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar disorder since Lithium's approval in 1970. Lamictal helps to lengthen the time between manic and depressive episodes.

Once the mood has been stabilized, psychiatrists will often prescribe an antidepressant to help combat the severe depression, anxiety, and other compulsive behaviors often associated with bipolar disorder. These antidepressants, however, must be taken in conjunction with a medication that stabilizes mood, or it can throw a person into a manic phase. There are many antidepressants out there today, but the ones most often prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs. These include medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

It's important to remember that bipolar treatment is an extremely personal endeavor. Working closely with a psychiatrist will help people suffering from bipolar find some relief. In order to truly be effective, bipolar treatment must be regular and participatory. This means that the person diagnosed must take a personal interest in maintaining medication regimens and consistently attending therapy sessions, as well as discovering natural treatments that help pave the way for a more stable life.