Importance of treatment for bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder brings many challenges to individuals and their families. Untreated bipolar disorder often leads to a great deal of suffering and loss, particularly regarding one’s relationships, careers and health. While some people in a manic or hypomanic state can be extremely productive, they may lack insight into their condition and refuse to believe that they need treatment. This can be challenging for friends and loved ones.
With the right treatment, people with bipolar disorder can learn how to accept and manage their condition so they can create fulfilling lives. As a psychiatrist who has helped people with bipolar disorder for decades, I share the basics of a bipolar disorder treatment plan below.
What is bipolar disorder treatment like?
Effective, evidence-based care for bipolar disorder treatment is a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on mood stabilization and improving one’s quality of life through:
- Individual, family and/or group therapy
- Medication management
- Lifestyle modifications (nutrition, sleep, social support, etc.)
Treatment may look different from person to person because each individual is unique. Those experiencing an eating disorder along with bipolar disorder (e.g., bulimia, binge eating) will have the best outcomes when seen in a treatment center that can provide treatment for the eating disorder, including medical stabilization and nutritional rehabilitation.
Therapy for bipolar disorder
Therapy is central to helping people with bipolar disorder manage their moods. In therapy, you’ll learn how to create and practice a daily routine that supports your well-being, like getting regular sleep and eating regular meals. One of the key goals of therapy will be to learn how to recognize early warning signs of mood episodes.
Warning signs of mania may look like:
- An increase in impulsive behaviors
- Needing less sleep
- Engaging in risky behaviors, including substance abuse
Warning signs of depression may look like:
- Eating less, feeling less hungry
- Feeling hopeless
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center alum Maddy, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, shares her thoughts on identifying bipolar disorder warning signs:
“It was important for me to learn my own warning signs. I educated myself on what my own warning signs are and let my family and close friends know as well. Knowing the warning signs has been especially helpful for me during times that my medication has not been working. I’ve also realized how important it is that I take my medication regularly.”
It’s important to work with a therapist to identify the warning signs that are specific to you. Additionally, you may want to look into the following therapies that are all highly recommended for bipolar disorder.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you identify negative or harmful thought patterns and behaviors that get in the way of living your best life. Behavioral activation, a CBT skill useful in treating depression, helps you identify daily activities that bring you pleasure, helping you align with your goals.
Dialectical behavior therapy
Uncomfortable emotions are common when living with a mood disorder. You can learn how to improve your physical, mental and emotional awareness of these feelings with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Instead of avoiding, denying or numbing distressing feelings, DBT teaches you how to regulate your emotions, reduce risk-taking behaviors and improve your quality of life. See how DBT supports emotion regulation here.
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Connect with your true values and create a life worth living with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This effective therapy approach helps you learn how to accept challenges (like difficult thoughts and feelings) and take action toward something that you value (time with friends, time spent on hobbies, etc.).
Family therapy
Loved ones are often frustrated when a person with bipolar disorder refuses to seek medical and psychiatric help. I’ve seen many families impacted by their loved one’s illness. Family therapy is a way for these families to come together, to heal, learn new skills and improve communication with each other. And family therapy isn’t just for the individual with bipolar disorder. All family members can learn new ways of interacting with each other, working together to improve family dynamics.
For families: Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center offers free online support groups for caregivers of those with mental health concerns.
Medications for bipolar disorder
Medication remains a cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment. Evidence-based pharmacological approaches often include mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics tailored to each patient’s individual needs.[1] Medications for bipolar disorder can sometimes cause unwanted side effects. The goal is to find a medication that helps you manage your symptoms without causing side effects that you find unacceptable. Have patience with the process. There are many medications out there that you can try.
“Finding a psychiatrist and a therapist who know how to treat bipolar disorder is essential. When struggling with mania, some of us have a feeling that we are invincible. This can accompany an increase in risky behaviors and we may stop taking our medication. I had to start telling myself, ‘You are not invincible. Every action you take will have some kind of consequence.’ If I think I’m going to do something impulsive, I now make myself wait a week before doing it,” shares Maddy.
Creating a bipolar disorder treatment plan
The key to creating the best bipolar disorder treatment plan for you is to make sure you are collaborating with a treatment team experienced in treating mood disorders. This includes:
- A psychiatrist to manage your medication
- A clinical psychologist or licensed therapist who provides psychotherapy
- Other health providers as needed (e.g., dietitian, primary care)
As you make progress with medication and therapy treatment, you may have specific goals that you’d like to achieve or questions that you’d like to answer. Consider adding any of the following to your treatment plan or make up your own as you go:
- Learn more about bipolar disorder, why it occurs, causes, triggers, warning signs and if you have a family history (bipolar disorder is highly genetic)
- Identify medications that will help you manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder with the least amount of unpleasant side effects possible
- Learn how to create a life where bipolar disorder no longer controls you
- Improve your ability to regulate your thoughts, emotions and reactions to the world around you
- Create a plan that helps you move toward your life’s values, dreams and goals
Recovery and relapse prevention
Over time, if you’re like most of my patients, you will notice a significant decrease in depression and anxiety as you move through treatment. You may also notice increases in the following areas:
- Feeling more accomplished
- Having improved quality of relationships
- Finding more meaning in life
- Feeling more positive emotions
In order to prevent a relapse of depression or mania, you’ll need to learn how to recognize early warning signs of mood episodes and identify the strategies that will help you maintain stability. This will be a key part of your treatment plan.
[Quote box] “It can be exhausting to struggle with the highs and lows that bipolar disorder throws at you. I have to remind myself that these feelings won’t last forever. If you can, keep track of your mood symptoms during the highs and lows. Write about how you feel and what your thoughts are like. For example, when I was in a “high” mood, I would cancel my appointments and lie to my loved ones. Having professional support and a support system that knows my warning signs has been one of the most helpful parts of my recovery,” shares Maddy.
Learn how to manage bipolar disorder
If you’re struggling with bipolar disorder, you are not alone. Many people have been in your shoes and are now thriving. And if you love someone with bipolar disorder, we are here for you, too, so please let us know how we can help.
Here at Pathlight, we provide the most up-to-date, effective bipolar disorder treatment options, including medication, talk therapy, ketamine therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
From your first call until you leave our care — and beyond — we will guide you on the path to recovery that works best for you. We are very proud of the work we do every day as we support individuals seeking better mental health and greater engagement and fulfillment in their lives.
Please call us at 866-622-5914 for a free, confidential consultation with a master’s-level clinician. Or get started by filling out this form.