Treatments for Bipolar Depression

Treatments for Bipolar Depression

Battling the down side of bipolar disorder isn't easy. According to a recent national survey, 90 percent of people with bipolar depression admit that their symptoms interfere with daily life. That's not surprising, since once a depressive phase starts, it's often too late to pull out of it. And bipolar depression is much more common than its manic counterpart.

To make matters worse, up to 20 percent of people who seek help for depression actually have bipolar disorder. In fact, it sometimes takes several sessions-frequently with different doctors-to figure out what's going on. Talking openly and honestly about all your symptoms, as well as charting your highs and your lows, can help your doctor make a more accurate diagnosis.

While scientists have yet to find a way to prevent bipolar depression, there is some good news: the right combination of medicines and counseling can help relieve symptoms. Here are some current treatments.

Drug therapy

Your doctor may prescribe a combination of meds, including mood stabilizers such as lithium and anti-seizure medications, which are thought to work by calming brain cells. Although commonly used to treat regular depression, antidepressants can actually make bipolar disorder worse, ramping up mood cycles and sparking manic episodes. These days, doctors prescribe antidepressants only during severe depressive phases.

Non-drug therapy can take several forms, including these:

• Psychotherapy is essential for getting better and staying well. Your doctor may recommend cognitive therapy to help tackle negative thought patterns. Family therapy can help you and your loved ones resolve issues, work out frustrations, and learn to cope with your illness. Group therapy provides support from others in similar situations. Finally, play therapy, in which mental health specialists use games and toys to draw out youngsters and help them talk about their problems, can help even very young children with bipolar disorder.
• Physical exercise can do wonders for bipolar depression, since even mild workouts can get mood-lifting endorphins pumping. Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that's right for you.
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Once thought of as scary sci-fi stuff, ECT is now known to be a safe, painless treatment for bipolar depression. Some experts say it's the best way to treat people who can't take drugs or who don't respond well to them.
• Alternative remedies: Unfortunately, dietary supplements and other alternative treatments don't help with bipolar depression. In fact, some studies on St. John's wort, a natural antidepressant, suggest that the herb can make bipolar disorder worse. Research on fish oil and other sources of omega-3s have had mixed results.

If you have bipolar disorder, there are plenty of things you can do to make life easier for yourself and your loved ones. Get plenty of rest, and aim to get up and go to bed at the same time every day. Stick to your normal routine, and stay away from alcohol and other substances that can bring you down further.