Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects people from all backgrounds. It is thought to be a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, or situations in the environment. Bipolar disorder can start in early childhood, but most often occurs first to people in their late teens or twenties. With a few people, the bipolar bicycle ride doesn’t begin until their forties or fifties. Whatever Bipolar disorder may or may not be; it definitely is not a weakness in the individual’s character.
After someone has been diagnosed by a competent mental health professional, first medications are prescribe as a method of trying to stabilize the mood swings, and second – psychotherapy. Mood stabilizing drugs are Eskalith and Lithobid. Anti-seizure medications are also used in helping control mood swings, especially with people whose bipolar cycles are rapid. Depakene, Depakote, and Lamictal are widely used. Some doctors prescribe anti-depressants. Some doctors don’t recommend anti-depressant to those with bipolar, although they are used with people with unipolar depression. These medicines include Zoloft,Prozac, and Paxil. There are older anti-depressants also sometimes used, but the newer drugs - Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil are most often used.Sometimes Wellbrutrin is recommended.
Often the psychiatrist or medical doctor will prescribe other medications, such as the anti- psychotic drugs, which include Zyprexa and Risperdal. Often the first medications someone uses do not work well with that Individual’s body chemistry and so another one is substituted. As with all medication, there are side effects.
Some bipolars seek treatment with a psychiatrist and some use a family doctor who recommends a psychologist or other health care professionals that are familiar with different types of therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the one most often recommended. The theory behind cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is that your way of thinking about an event or situation is what leads you to a depressed state. These negative thoughts cause you to have low self-esteem. To address your depressed state, you must replace your negative thinking with realistic or rational thinking. The therapist teaches the bipolar techniques used to think more rationally.
Also family therapy is often effective for both the bipolar and their loved ones. For the family all attends the therapy session. The therapist addresses the relationship, and teaches technique in how to manage the relationship more effectively.
Some bipolar choose to get their therapy in group situations. Often the group consists of other people with bipolar, people with unipolar depression, etc.
Bipolar have manage their situations using alternative methods such as taking such herbals as Siberian ginseng, Valerian root, Gingko Biloba. Many accompany the use of herbal remedies with Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Message Therapy, and Music Therapy. Many meditate. So, if you have bipolar, explore and find out how you best can mange your bipolar disorder.