What Treatment Options are Available for Bipolar Disorder

University of Maryland Medical Center

Step 1 use mood stabalizer

Step 2 add antidepressant

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

People with Bipolar generally experience more depression than mania.

Depression is more likely to be accompanied with suicidal thoughts and actions.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Antisiezure medications can be used to treat Bipolar Disorder

The main ones used are Depakene, Depakote, and Lamictal

Others include Valproate, Tegretol, Carbatol, Equetro, Trilepital, Neurontin, Zonegran, and Topomax

National Institute for Mental Health

Antisiezure medications are also used effectively as mood stabalizers

National Istitute for Mental Health

Other treatments include Psychotherapy, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Sleep medications, and Herbal suppliments.

When used in conjunction with medications psychotherapy helps treat bipolar symptoms better.

Forms of psychotherapy include Cognitive behavioral therapy, Family focused therapy, interpersonal and social rythm therapy, and psychoeducation.

University of Maryland Medical Center

ECT IS a non Drug Treatment Known as shock treatment.

ECT has recieved a bad reputation over the years, but recent advances in technology have made it a safe and painless process.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Step 1 Determine the need for hospitalization

Step 2 Control symptoms with a mood stabalizer

Step 3 Addition of other treatments

Step 4 withdrawal of some drug treatments

Step 5 continuation of mood stabalizers

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Bipolar Disoder Presents a challenge, the Mania phase can be seductive

University of Maryland Medical Center

Mood Variations are not predictable so it can be hard to tell if returning to normal is a result of medications or a natural part of the cycle.

The patient is likely to recieve more than one medication, increasing the risk of side effects.

Noncompliance is common.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

People may not want to change for fear of being "flat".

University of Maryland Medical Center

Antidepressants may be prescribed

May cause Mania

Antidepressants incude Wellbutrin, Paxil, SSRI's, Prozac, Effexor, and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor.

National INstitute for Mental Health

Can be used in comjunction with Atypical antipsychotics to treat Bipolar Disorder

Types include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin

Antidepressants may cause mania or trigger rapid cycling.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Lithium is the main medication used for treating Bipolar Disorder

Lithium is not perfect but it remains an effective long term drug.

kidshealth.org

Kids will probavly recieve a mood stabalizer.

National Institute for Mental Health

Mood stabalizers are generally the first chioce.

Different mood stabalizers are: Lithium, Valproic acid, Lamictal, Neurotin, Topomax, and Trilepital.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Family therapy helps too.

Helpguide.org

Monitor mood patterns

Get educated

Keep stress in check

Work with an experienced psyciatrist

There is more to treatment than medication

Bipolar Disorder does requier long term treatment

Depression and Bipolar Support Allaince

Includes Support groups, Medication, Talk therapy, or other strategies that the health care provider and patient decide.

kidshealth.org

Teens will likely get medications and therapy from a psycologist

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Recovery is a processs not an event

Since Bipolar disorder has no cure, treatment must be continuous.

National Institute For Mental Health

Bipolar disorder can not be cured, but it can be treated effectively over the long term.

University of Maryland Medical Center

Antipsychotics standard for schizophrenia treatment can be used for bipolar disorder.

Atypical antipsychotics include: Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon, Abilify, and Saphris.

National Institute for Mental Health

Atypical antipsychotics can be used in addition to other medications to treat Bipolar Disorder.

Types of atypical antipsychotics include: Zyprexa, Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal, and Geodon.