Finding Effective Treatment For Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a chronic mental health condition with a biological component. It is characterized by dramatic mood swings between extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression) that can disrupt your ability to function in your day-to-day life and affect your sleep, energy, and judgment.

Bipolar disorder typically manifests in one of three ways:

Bipolar I disorder Bipolar I disorder involves manic episodes that last for at least seven days, and that can be severe enough to require hospitalization.

Bipolar II disorder Bipolar II disorder consists of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are a milder form of mania than the manic episodes that occur in bipolar I.

Cyclothymic disorder Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder that is characterized by chronic, fluctuating highs and lows that last for at least two years and are less extreme than the full manic and depressive episodes of bipolar I and II.

Bipolar disorder is caused by a neurobiological imbalance. It is a lifelong condition with no permanent cure to date. Its symptoms, however, are highly manageable, and with the right support, people with bipolar disorder can lead healthy, productive, fulfilling lives.

The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is one that addresses both its biological and emotional aspects, and typically involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.

Medical Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Whether you will need medication or not depends on the severity of your symptoms, as well as how well you are able to manage them without the help of drugs.

There are several different types of medications used in the treatment of bipolar disorder that can help stabilize your moods and prevent episodes of mania and depression. Which type is prescribed depends on your symptoms. Most typically, it will be a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic drug.

Mood stabilizers Mood stabilizers such as lithium, the most commonly prescribed drug, help balance out the highs and lows of mania and depression, stabilize mood, and reduce the risk of suicide.

Antipsychotics Antipsychotic drugs such as Seroquel or Zyprexa, which also have mood-stabilizing properties, are commonly used to treat psychotic symptoms or mania.

Talk Therapy

While medication may be able to manage some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy) plays a vital part in learning how to manage its symptoms.

There are several effective evidence-based options to choose from, as symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary from person to person, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment approach. Many therapists use a mixture of techniques to address their clients’ unique needs.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based, gold standard treatment, considered to be the most supportive type of talk therapy for bipolar disorder. CBT can be used successfully in all stages of bipolar disorder except for acute mania.

Its goal is to help you understand how your thoughts affect your feelings and actions; recognize, challenge, and replace negative thinking patterns and beliefs that fuel your symptoms; identify early signs of mood shifts; and equip you with effective coping skills to manage triggers and prevent or reduce the severity of bipolar episodes.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) Dialectical behavior therapy is a specialized form of CBT that focuses on teaching practical skills to help you regulate your emotions, manage the extreme highs and lows of bipolar disorder, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve the way you relate to others. It has proven effective in reducing both manic and depressive symptoms.

Family-focused therapy (FFT) Family-focused therapy is centered around teaching your family how to recognize the warning signs of a bipolar episode, educating them on the best way to support you, and improving family relationship dynamics and communication.

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy focuses on helping you regulate and stabilize daily rhythms such as sleep-wake cycles, eating and exercise routines, social interactions, and work, to reduce fluctuations in your mood. Studies have found it to be effective in reducing both manic and depressive symptoms and in improving the overall quality of your life.

Psychoeducation Psychoeducation helps you understand bipolar disorder, the ways it can affect your life, and enables you to come to terms with the challenges of living with it; as well as how to identify triggers and early warning signs of a manic or depressive episode; and equip you with effective coping mechanisms to handle your symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes to Help You Live Well with Bipolar Disorder

Even though bipolar mood swings cannot always be avoided, you can learn to spot the early signs, avoid triggers, and use coping strategies to lessen the impact of your symptoms.

Let go of shame Bipolar disorder is just an illness you are experiencing. It does not define you. Accepting your diagnosis without shame or feeling stigmatized by it can help you stress less and connect better with others.

Chart your moods Keeping a record of your daily emotional state and moods, sleep, activities, and feelings can help you identify triggers and spot patterns. Knowing your triggers and early warning signs of a mood swing can enable you to intercept it and prevent it from turning into a full-blown episode of mania or depression.

Act swiftly on warning signs Have a wellness toolbox of coping skills and activities you can engage in to maintain a stable mood, and act swiftly if you spot warning signs of an episode of mania or depression.

Stick to a routine Build structure into your life by creating and sticking to a daily routine that includes set times for sleeping, eating, exercising, working, and relaxing. Try to be as consistent as possible. Even good disruptions, such as a vacation or a new schedule at work, can trigger a bipolar episode. Having a regular schedule can help balance your moods.

Get enough sleep Sleep is critical for mood regulation. Getting enough sleep can help keep your moods stable or shorten an episode, whereas insufficient or disrupted sleep is known to trigger both mania and depression. Try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day.

Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet Studies have shown that a diet rich in healthy fats, lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and leafy greens can support brain health and stabilize mood swings.

Exercise regularly Exercise boosts mood by increasing the production of feel-good endorphins in the brain, promotes better sleep, improves energy levels, reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and can have a mood-stabilizing effect. Aerobic exercise, such as running, swimming, or dancing, that keeps both arms and legs moving at the same time, is especially effective at treating depression.

Practice relaxation and grounding techniques Relaxation and grounding techniques can help enhance self-awareness and serve as an effective coping mechanism for managing stress and reducing the chances of a bipolar episode.

Join a support group A support group provides a safe place to connect and interact with others who are facing similar symptoms, challenges, and concerns as you are, and who can relate to what you are going through. They can also provide good suggestions for living and coping with bipolar disorder.

Biblical Exhortations That Can Be Applied to Bipolar Disorder

Although the terms bipolar or manic depression do not appear in the Bible, it does contain exhortations that can be applied to the disorder.

Bipolar disorder should be approached the same way you would any other chronic physiological affliction, such as diabetes or heart disease, by seeking medical advice for your physical symptoms.

However, believers should also seek godly counsel for how to deal with the mental and emotional side of the disorder, as it can affect the way you think and alter your perception of reality. Spending time in God’s Word will help you build a strong foundation in truth that keeps you from giving in to misperceptions and committing sinful acts.

If you have questions about this article on effective treatment for bipolar disorder or would like to set up an appointment to meet with me or one of the other faith-based counselors at our location, please give us a call.