Learn how to manage Bipolar Disorder: therapies, medication and more

Bipolar Disorder is a mental disorder that causes the extreme change in the moods of an individual from being too excited (manic episode) to a depressed phase with the normal mood states in- between. It is typically a lifelong disorder with highly variable and unique pattern of episodes in each individual. Therefore, treatment is more complex and often involves more than one medication due to variable episodes.

Many treatment plans are already available which involves psychotherapeutic treatment, alternate medicines, complementary treatments and lifestyle changes with the most important treatment plan of psychiatric medication. All the other treatment plans goes alongside the prescribed medications. Also today, many researches are going on all around the world for exploring the new possibilities.

Medications mainly involve Mood stabilizers, Antidepressants and Antipsychotic drugs. One of the earliest medications used for its treatment is Lithium, a central treatment of bipolar disorder. It is believed that it was discovered almost 50 years ago and since then, it has been using effectively to treat people having bipolar disorder. Some other pharmacological agents such as Lamictal, Abilify, Carbamazepine, Olanzapine, etc. are also in use to treat mood swings of bipolar Disorder. But their Effect remains not for too long. Hence, there is a greater need for the scientists to look for improved therapies for the various episodes of bipolar disorder. Recently, a new drug, called scopolamine was accidentally discovered for treating mood swings of bipolar disorder, when it was testing for its effects on memory and attention. The drug is found to have a great antidepressant response and the improvement persisted for weeks or even months.

Psychological therapies such as talk therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and family treatment help to identify the mood swings, thus, can also increase medication compliance, and teach skills to cope with the disorder.

Alternate therapies such as phototherapy, acupuncture, massage, yoga etc. also aids to the medication efficiency and general self-care.

Most importantly, it is prescribed from every specialist to adopt strategies for the changes in lifestyle which mainly include adequate sleep, exercise and nutritional food as it helps in managing the symptoms of the bipolar disorder.

Current advances in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as DNA research allow the access to the genetic secrets concerned with the bipolar disorder. Through this knowledge, several genetic variants linked to bipolar disorder has been highlighted which gives the possibility of complete treatment in the coming years.