Bipolar Disorder

5.7 million American adults are affected, are you one of them?

Fun Fact

Did you know?

Lithium, a metallic element used to treat bipolar disorder, was an ingredient in the original recipe for the lemon-lime soft drink 7UP. In fact, the first name for 7UP was "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.

Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health disorder. It is not recommended that people with this disorder treat themselves without medical assistance. The medications vary for the different stages of the disorder, so it is important to seek medical assistance to diagnose the correct phase and thus, medicine.

There are some new medications that can control the mania and depression states associated with this disease. Some of these mood stabilizers are lithium, carbamazepine, or divalproex/valproic acid. Such medical treatments dramatically reduce the pain and suffering felt by bipolar patients, as well as causing an eight fold reduction in the amount of suicides, associated with this disease that occur each year. To control the manic state, anti-psychotic or benzodiazepine is added to the mood stabilizer. Antidepressant or lamotrigine is added to the mood stabilizer to alleviate the symptoms of the depression state. However, antidepressants are known to cause mania so these medications are to be used in small dosages and often combined with medications to treat mania.

Psychotherapy and psycho-education are two other treatments that are readily available to those suffering from bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy helps the patient and their family deal with the illness and psycchoeduaction helps them to learn more about the disease and seek the right treatment.

With the correct treatment, it is possible for people afflicted with bipolar disorder to lead normal and healthy lives.