Bipolar Disorder Treatment

The treatment of bipolar disorder is focused on reducing the severity of manic and depressive episodes and helping sufferers lead an as-near-to-normal life as possible. There is no known cure for the condition and treatment usually involves a combination of medication and counselling or psychotherapy.

If left untreated, manic or depressive phases may last for months and even as long as one year. Depressive phases are particularly harmful as they may lead to suicidal thoughts and urges to act on them. With treatment, symptoms usually subside after around three months and a stable mood is restored.

Treatment outline

• Antidepressant medication.
• Mood stabilizers to prevent episodes of mania, hypomania, depression and establish a stable mood. Mood stabilizers may need to be taken daily and over long periods. One of the most commonly used agents of this class, lithium, is usually prescribed for periods of 6 months. The use of lithium may lead to severe side effects including vomiting and diarrhea and therefore requires regular monitoring. In addition, the drug should not be withdrawn or stopped abruptly as this may cause a flare-up of symptoms.
• Anticonvulsant drugs can also act as mood stabilizers.
• Antipsychotics for the treatment of psychosis and mania may also be used.
• Talking therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, family and group therapy, and counselling are all useful approaches for treating patients with bipolar disorder.
• In individuals who experience a rapid cycling of high and low moods, combination therpy is prescribed.
• Lifestyle changes including regular exercise, adoption of a healthy and balanced diet, cessation of smoking or substance abuse, and reduction of alcohol and caffeine intake.

Further Reading

• All Bipolar Disorder Content
• Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
• Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
• Bipolar Disorder Interventions

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.