DOC I NEED TREATMENT FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
Treatment of Bipolar Disorders:
The main goals of treatment are to:
1.Avoid moving from one phase to another
2.Avoid the necessity for a hospital stay
3.Assist the patient function as well as possible between episodes
4.Prevent self injury and suicide by patient
5.Make the periods of manic and depressive phases less frequent and severe
The Doctor may also look for any triggers which may cause the bipolar condition and any medical or emotional problems that might affect treatment.
The medicines used to stabilize moods are :
1.Carbamazepine
2.Lamotrigine
3.Lithium
4.Valproate (valproic acid) and other antiseizure drugs
Other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder include:
1.Antipsychotic drugs and anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) for mood problems
2.Antidepressant medications may be added to treat depression.
Some people with bipolar disorders are more likely to have manic or hypomanic episodes if they are put on antidepressants.
Because of this, antidepressants are used only in people who also take a mood stabilizer.
3.Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used to treat the manic or depressive phase of bipolar disorder if it does not respond to medication.
ECT uses an electrical current to cause a brief seizure in the patient while the patient is under general anesthesia.
ECT is still the most effective treatment for depression not relieved with medications.
4.Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses high-frequency magnetic pulses to target affected areas of the brain. It is used second after ECT.
Patients who are in the middle of manic or depressive episodes may be required to stay in a hospital until their mood is stable and their behavior is under control.
Complications of Bipolar Disorders:
Stopping medical treatment or taking it the wrong way may cause the symptoms to return and lead to the following complications:
1.Alcohol and/or drug abuse
2.Difficulties with relationships, work, and finances
3.Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Prognosis of Bipolar Disorders:
1.Mood-stabilizing medication can help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder.It is important to help and support the patients to take medicine properly and to make sure that mania and depression are treated as early as possible.
2.Some patients stop taking the medication as soon as they feel better or because the mania feels good. However any stoppage of medication can cause serious problems.
3.Suicide is a very real risk during both mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder who think or talk about suicide need immediate emergency attention.
Prevention of Bipolar Disorders:
1.Support and education about bipolar disorder (psychoeducation) may help families cope and reduce the odds of symptoms returning.
2.Programs that offer outreach and community support services can help people who do not have family and social support.
Important support skills taught include:
1.Coping with symptoms which are present despite taking medications
2.Learning a healthy lifestyle especially getting enough sleep , eating well and staying away from recreational drugs
3.Learning to take medications properly and how to control side effects
4.Learning to look for the return of symptoms, and knowing what to do if they return
5.Family members and caregivers are very important in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
They can provide the right support services for patients and make sure the patient takes medication correctly.
6.Getting enough sleep is very important in bipolar disorder.
Lack of sleep can trigger a manic episode.
7.Treatment is always helpful during the depressive phase.
8.Bipolar disorder patients cannot always tell the doctor about their condition.Patients often cannot recognize their own manic symptoms.
9.Changes in mood with bipolar disorder are unpredictable. It is difficult to tell whether a patient is responding to treatment or naturally coming out of a bipolar phase.
Bipolar Disorders is difficult to treat and patients, their friends, and family must know the risks of death if bipolar disorder is not treated properly.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorders:
The main goals of treatment are to:
1.Avoid moving from one phase to another
2.Avoid the necessity for a hospital stay
3.Assist the patient function as well as possible between episodes
4.Prevent self injury and suicide by patient
5.Make the periods of manic and depressive phases less frequent and severe
The Doctor may also look for any triggers which may cause the bipolar condition and any medical or emotional problems that might affect treatment.
The medicines used to stabilize moods are :
1.Carbamazepine
2.Lamotrigine
3.Lithium
4.Valproate (valproic acid) and other antiseizure drugs
Other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder include:
1.Antipsychotic drugs and anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) for mood problems
2.Antidepressant medications may be added to treat depression.
Some people with bipolar disorders are more likely to have manic or hypomanic episodes if they are put on antidepressants.
Because of this, antidepressants are used only in people who also take a mood stabilizer.
3.Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used to treat the manic or depressive phase of bipolar disorder if it does not respond to medication.
ECT uses an electrical current to cause a brief seizure in the patient while the patient is under general anesthesia.
ECT is still the most effective treatment for depression not relieved with medications.
4.Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses high-frequency magnetic pulses to target affected areas of the brain. It is used second after ECT.
Patients who are in the middle of manic or depressive episodes may be required to stay in a hospital until their mood is stable and their behavior is under control.
Complications of Bipolar Disorders:
Stopping medical treatment or taking it the wrong way may cause the symptoms to return and lead to the following complications:
1.Alcohol and/or drug abuse
2.Difficulties with relationships, work, and finances
3.Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Prognosis of Bipolar Disorders:
1.Mood-stabilizing medication can help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder.It is important to help and support the patients to take medicine properly and to make sure that mania and depression are treated as early as possible.
2.Some patients stop taking the medication as soon as they feel better or because the mania feels good. However any stoppage of medication can cause serious problems.
3.Suicide is a very real risk during both mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder who think or talk about suicide need immediate emergency attention.
Prevention of Bipolar Disorders:
1.Support and education about bipolar disorder (psychoeducation) may help families cope and reduce the odds of symptoms returning.
2.Programs that offer outreach and community support services can help people who do not have family and social support.
Important support skills taught include:
1.Coping with symptoms which are present despite taking medications
2.Learning a healthy lifestyle especially getting enough sleep , eating well and staying away from recreational drugs
3.Learning to take medications properly and how to control side effects
4.Learning to look for the return of symptoms, and knowing what to do if they return
5.Family members and caregivers are very important in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
They can provide the right support services for patients and make sure the patient takes medication correctly.
6.Getting enough sleep is very important in bipolar disorder.
Lack of sleep can trigger a manic episode.
7.Treatment is always helpful during the depressive phase.
8.Bipolar disorder patients cannot always tell the doctor about their condition.Patients often cannot recognize their own manic symptoms.
9.Changes in mood with bipolar disorder are unpredictable. It is difficult to tell whether a patient is responding to treatment or naturally coming out of a bipolar phase.
Bipolar Disorders is difficult to treat and patients, their friends, and family must know the risks of death if bipolar disorder is not treated properly.
