Are There Any Treatment Options?
Even though an (untreated) patient with bipolar disorder has extreme mood swings, they often do not realize how damaging this can be to themselves and also those around them. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment is crucial to be more stable. First, you or a loved one should recognize the symptoms of a (hypo)manic episode – and possibly a depressive episode. When this happened it’s important to find help.
The next step is to visit your professional healthcare provider and tell him or her about your symptoms and suspicions. Your healthcare provider will test you or direct you to the appropriate specialist – like a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Possible tests are physical exams, thorough medical history exams, blood tests, and mental health evaluations. To get the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, someone needs to experience at least one (hypo)manic episode. When all this is done your healthcare provider will make the right diagnosis. When this is indeed bipolar disease he or she will set up a treatment plan. Possible treatment options include:
- Psychotherapy
- Medication, like antidepressants & mood stabilizers
- Self-management strategies
- Lifestyle changes, like yoga, exercise, and meditation
- IPSRT; Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
- Family-focused therapy
- CBT; Cognitive behavioral therapy
Get the Right Diagnosis
Getting the right diagnosis is vital because that’s the only way to get proper help and guidance. Unfortunately, there is no cure for bipolar disorder, but with the right treatment, symptoms and episodes are manageable. The above-mentioned treatment options are the most common. It’s important to find a treatment that suits you and manages your symptoms. Make sure you are adequately informed, so you know what to expect. We want to help you with your search to make life a little easier. Start here:
