Treatments for Bipolar Mania Health Article

Treatments for Bipolar Mania

Bipolar disorder has no cure, but it can be controlled. The most effective treatments so far combine medications with psychotherapy. Their goal is to prevent relapses of mood swings and reduce their severity.

If you have bipolar disorder, you should talk openly with your doctor about your treatment plan. Ask questions about the benefits and possible side effects of different drugs, and come to terms with the fact that taking meds will probably be part of your life from now on. Have your spouse or partner talk with your doctor to help identify symptoms and learn to cope with your illness. Don't skip out of therapy sessions. Between doctor appointments, keep track of any mood swings, life events, or changes in schedule, and bring your notes on your next visit.

Here are the current treatments for bipolar mania.

• Antipsychotic drugs: If your manic symptoms are extreme, your doctor may prescribe drugs such as olanzapine or aripiprazole to get them under control quickly.
• Mood stabilizers: Most people with bipolar disorder take a variety of mood stabilizers for years. These meds include lithium and anti-seizure medications such as valproic acid or divalproex sodium. Some anti-seizure medicines may increase thoughts of suicide, so you need to be closely monitored if you're on one.
• Non-drug treatment: Psychotherapy is an essential part of getting bipolar disorder under control. Research shows patients tend to improve more with a combination of drugs and talk therapy than by taking medicines alone. Your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to help you learn to replace negative, harmful beliefs with healthier ones. Family therapy can help you and your loved ones learn to communicate better and resolve conflict. Group therapy provides support from others and can help you build relationships.
• Hospitalization: Bipolar patients often need hospital stays during manic episodes, especially if they're in danger of harming themselves or others.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Doctors sometimes recommend this treatment-formerly known as shock therapy-for bipolar mania or depression. Despite the horror-film images it sometimes conjures, ECT is painless (the patient is under anesthesia, and usual treatments only last 30 to 90 seconds) and can be very helpful for some people, especially if you're pregnant and unable to take medications.
• Alternative treatments: Some research has been done on St. John's wort, a natural anti-depressant, but studies show this herb doesn't help-in fact, it may actually cause mania in some people. Studies on fish oil and omega 3s have had mixed results.

While the reality is that bipolar disorder requires serious medications, there are things you can do to make your condition less severe. Sticking to a normal routine, avoiding caffeine and other substances, and keeping regular sleep hours can all help.