Table of Contents:

• An Introduction to the Bipolar Series
• Who Gets Bipolar Disorder?
• Causes of Bipolar Disorder
• Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
• Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Further Information

Treatment can help most people with bipolar disorder. Almost all people with bipolar disorder—even those with severe forms—can stabilize their mood swings through the use of medication.

Treatment for bipolar disorder falls into three categories:

Acute treatment suppresses current symptoms and continues until remission, which occurs when the symptoms are diminished for a period of time.

Continuation treatment prevents a return of symptoms from the same episode.

Maintenance treatment prevents a recurrence of symptoms. The risks of long-term medication use must be weighed against the risk of getting sick again (relapse).

The types of treatment that are commonly used for bipolar disorder include:

• Atypical antipsychotics - Learn more about atypical antipsychotics for bipolar disorder
• Mood stabilizers - Learn more about mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder
• Combination therapy - Learn more about combination therapy for bipolar disorder
• Antidepressants - Learn more about antidepressants for bipolar disorder
• Psychotherapy

You can monitor your own treatment progress by keeping a daily mood chart. This will enable you to keep track of your moods, sleep patterns, medication and side effects, and activities. Also keep track of why you think changes occur, for example poor night’s sleep or working late.

What doesn’t work

The following strategies are ineffective and should be avoided:

• Using intoxicants, such as alcohol, to feel better or get to sleep
• Telling a family member to snap out of it or get back to their old self
• Shaming a person for not meeting obligations and responsibilities

Who treats bipolar disorder?

A wide range of mental health professionals help treat bipolar disorder. Medications are usually prescribed by a psychiatrist (or generally should be — a general practitioner or family physician doesn’t have the extensive background and experience in prescribing these medications on a long-term basis). Psychotherapy to help learn better ways of coping and unlearn unhelpful thinking and patterns of behavior is usually provided by a psychologist or licensed clinical social worker. Usually for an initial diagnosis, it is recommended that you consult a psychologist or psychiatrist.

People who are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, such as life-endangering impulsive behavior (e.g., substance abuse, promiscuity or aggressiveness) or psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations or delusions), as well as anyone who is severely suicidal, should be evaluated by a physician. Depending on the level of potential harm to self or others, they should go to an emergency room. Doctors there often will refer them to a psychiatrist for further treatment. In some cases, hospitalization in a psychiatric facility is a standard approach.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the outlook for bipolar disorder is favorable. Most people respond to a medication and or combination of medications. Approximately 50 percent of people will respond to lithium alone. An additional 20 to 30 percent will respond to another medication or combination of medications. Ten to 20 percent will have chronic (unresolved) mood symptoms despite treatment. Approximately 10 percent of bipolar patients will be very difficult to treat and have frequent episodes with little response to treatment. On average, a person is free of symptoms for about five years between the first and second episodes. As time goes on, the interval between episodes may shorten, especially in cases in which treatment is discontinued too soon. It is estimated that a person with bipolar disorder will have an average of eight to nine mood episodes during his or her lifetime.

What's Related

• Top 10 Signs of Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
• Who Gets Bipolar Disorder?
• When a Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder
• Can a Person be Diagnosed with Simultaneous Depression and Bipolar Disorder?
• Teens and Bipolar Disorder
• An Introduction to Bipolar Disorder
• What Is Bipolar Disorder?
• Further Information about Bipolar Disorder
• Frequently Asked Questions about Bipolar Disorder
• The Causes of Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
• Other articles by Steve Bressert, Ph.D.

 

Last reviewed:
  On August 7, 2008
  By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.