When a doctor tells you, a family member, or a friend, that you have bipolar disorder , it's normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious. "What do I do now? Is there a good treatment for this? Can this be cured?" You may have many questions running through your mind. But don't worry. Bipolar disorder is a manageable condition. Let's talk about the treatments available, one by one, in a very simple way.
The main medications used for bipolar disorder
When treating bipolar disorder, doctors focus on three main types of medication. These are mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sometimes antidepressants. But remember, treatment is not just about medication . For best results, it usually involves a combination of one or more medications and a form of talk therapy called psychotherapy .
Now let's see what these medications are and what happens to them.
| Drug category | Commonly used medications (examples) | Simply put, what do you do with these? |
|---|---|---|
| Mood Stabilizers | Lithium Carbonate Valproic Acid (Depakote) Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Lamotrigine (Lamictal) | These are the backbone of treatment. They help control the mood swings between the extremes of mania and depression. They are especially important for controlling manic episodes and preventing relapses. |
| Antipsychotics | Olanzapine (Zyprexa) Risperidone (Risperdal) Quetiapine (Seroquel) Aripiprazole (Abilify) Lurasidone (Latuda) | These also help stabilize mood. These medications are given to quickly control symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, especially during periods of high activity (mania). They are sometimes given in combination with mood stabilizers. |
| Antidepressants | Fluoxetine Like Sertraline... | These are used with great caution . They are given to control depression in bipolar disorder. However, if used alone, they can sometimes trigger mania. Therefore, they are often given with a mood stabilizer. |
Important things to know when using medication
Remember, not everyone's body is the same. Therefore, it may take some time to find the right medicine and dose for you . Your doctor will start you on one medicine first and see how it affects you. You may need to try several different medicines. This is normal, so don't worry.
Some medications, especially lithium, can be toxic if taken in large amounts. That's why your doctor will ask you to have blood tests from time to time . Don't skip these tests. It's for your own safety.
Non-drug Treatments
Medication is only one part of this journey. There are other treatments that are equally important.
Psychotherapy - Healing through talking
Simply put, this is talk therapy. This is very important.
- Understand your condition: This will help you understand why it happens and how to live with it.
- Emotion Management: You can learn ways to recognize and control emotions like extreme happiness and extreme sadness when they arise.
- Use medication correctly: Some people stop taking their medication when they feel better. This is very dangerous. Psychotherapy can help to reinforce the need to continue taking the medication.
- Support the family: This not only helps the patient, but also the family to understand the disease. There are various methods under this like Cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT), Family Therapy.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Some people get scared when they hear this name. Because it's been portrayed that way in movies. But in reality , modern ECT is a very safe, painless, and very effective treatment.
This is done under complete anesthesia, meaning you won't feel anything. It can provide quick relief for people who are suffering from severe depression or mania, who don't respond to medication, or whose symptoms worsen during pregnancy.
Other modern treatments
In addition to this, there are other modern treatment methods .
- VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation): A small device implanted in the body that sends electrical signals to a nerve to control depression.
- TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): Stimulation of mood-controlling cells in the brain using a magnetic coil.
- Light Therapy : Some people experience increased depression during the winter months (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Such people can reduce their depression by spending 20-30 minutes daily in front of a special light box.
Preparing the home environment and the role of family members
If you are living with someone with bipolar disorder, family support is invaluable. There are several things you can do.
- A calm environment: Keep the home environment as calm as possible. Avoid shouting and fighting, especially during mania.
- A consistent routine: Maintain consistent eating, drinking, sleeping, and exercise times. Getting enough sleep is especially important . Lack of sleep can trigger a mania episode.
- Avoid excessive stimulation: Things like big parties, loud noises, and watching TV continuously can increase symptoms of mania.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs: These can worsen symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of medications.
Things to do during mania!
During mania, the patient may lose track of what they are doing. They may be tempted to engage in risky behaviors such as driving at high speeds, engaging in dangerous sports, and spending large amounts of money.
In such a situation, it is your responsibility as a family member to immediately call the doctor . Even if the patient does not want treatment, explain the situation and seek medical advice. Early intervention can even prevent hospitalization. Limit caffeine-containing drinks like tea, coffee, and cola. Do not give alcohol at all.
Take-Home Message
- Treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy, both of which are equally important.
- It may take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you. Be patient and trust your doctor.
- Your family's support and understanding are essential for the success of treatment. Involve them in the process as well.
- Follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Attend clinics on the scheduled dates and get the required tests done.
- When symptoms of mania appear, consider it an emergency and seek medical advice immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න