Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. But today there are many treatments. Treatment options for individuals with bipolar disorder include medications (mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics) and therapy. “The mainstay of treatment is a mood stabilizer medication such as Lithium Carbonate or Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine has be found to be best for preventing depressions” (Wikipedia, 2009). Lithium is the gold standard or drug of choice in the treatment of bipolar disorder. “Treatment of the agitation in acute manic episodes has often required the use of antipsychotic medications, such as Quetiapine, Olanzapine and Chlopromazine. More recently, Olanzapine and Quetiapine have been approved as effective monotherapy for the maintenance of bipolar disorder” (Wikipedia, 2009). The goals of treatment are to “control the symptoms of depression and mania, reduce the number of times that moods go up and down, help people with bipolar disorder feel the best they can, reduce lesser bipolar symptoms that still could be a problem, and to reduce the side effects of bipolar disorder treatment” (Bipolar.com, 2009). “Initial treatment of mania consists of lithium or valproic acid (Depakene). If the patient is psychotic, a neuroleptic medication is also given. Long-acting benzodiazepines may be used for treating agitation.” (State University of New York, 2000). Other medication that can be used during periods of depression would be, “…a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or bupropion (Wellbutrin) is recommended.” (Hartmann PM, 1996). Another way of treating bipolar patients could be through the use of medication as well as therapy through counseling, which as been addressed by doctors at the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine. They have stated that, “In a study comparing two maintenance treatments for the illness, the Pitt researchers found that drug therapy combined with interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) did a better job of keeping patients free from depressive symptoms. The researchers learned both approaches were able to keep the majority of patients free of manic symptoms .” (Frank E, 1999). As you can see, treatment varies a lot when trying to medicate people with this disorder, and so more research needs to be done to determine the best form of treatment. This can be done though the watchful studying of people that are being medicated so that the effects cans be seen clearly. Therapy or psychosocial treatments include “psychoeducation (health education for psychiatric illnesses), psychotherapy (talking with a therapist), cognitive behaviour therapy (based on the idea that deeply held beliefs or thoughts influence how we look at ourselves and the world, and have a strong influence on our mood and behaviour), psychodynamic therapy (long-term, unstructured psychotherapy that reduces distress by helping an individual to gain insight into the underlying motives of their overall behaviour), group therapy, family therapy, and self-help support groups” (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2008). Another treatment option is voluntary or involuntary admission into a hospital. Patients that enter the hospital voluntarily are able to leave the hospital at any time. In Ontario however, “the law also allows any doctor to admit a patient to hospital involuntarily if the doctor believes there is a serious risk of the patient or someone else being physically harmed because of the patient’s disorder” (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2008). The visit to a hospital for treatment of bipolar disorder can range from a few days to several months. “Patients are expected to remain on the psychiatric unit for the first few days of their stay. As they recover they may be granted increasing privileges to visit other parts of the hospital or to walk outside. Later they will be given passes to go home overnight or for the weekend” (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2008). During their hospital stay patients attend a variety of group and therapeutic programs and may also have individual sessions with medical, nursing and other healthcare members.
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