Popular treatments for depression and bipolar disorder

A condition wherein a person experiences an extreme alteration in mood, thinking, and behavior is what bipolar disorder is all about. Manic-depressive illness or manic depression are other names associated with bipolar disorder. Patients with the disease are known to undergo two cycles of either severe depression or absolute mania. Frequent mood swings are a common occurrence in patients with the disease. People who are affected with the condition are also known to undergo intense emotional states that may lead to poor job performance, trouble in coping with school, or frequent conflicts in relationships.

Here are a few things that you must know about the treatment for depression and bipolar disorder.

What are the popular treatments for depression and bipolar disorder?

• Medication is the most popular and effective treatment for depression and bipolar disorder. Many physiatrists prescribe a combination of mood-altering drugs to help patients remain stable and gradually return to normalcy.
• Continued medication is an essential aspect of the treatment for depression and bipolar disorder. People diagnosed with the disease require lifelong medication. If a patient with improved symptoms chooses to skip the medication, chances of relapsing become quite high, and minor mood swings may rapidly become massive episodes of depression or mania.
• Many doctors recommend day treatment programs as the best treatment for depression, bipolar disorders, and other behavioral conditions. These programs are designed to support and counsel the patients so that they get their symptoms under control.
• Hospitalization is the ultimate treatment for depression and bipolar disorder if the patient shows continued signs of suicide or behaves dangerously.
• Psychological counseling is another treatment for depression and bipolar disorder that helps patients to control and manage symptoms.

Which are the common types of medicines used for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder?

• It is important that the patients of bipolar disorder first consult a trained medical professional for prescribed medication.
• Mood stabilizers help control episodes of mania or hypomania.
• Antipsychotic drugs may be combined along with mood stabilizers if the patient continues to show symptoms of depression or mania.
• Antidepressants along with other stabilizing medicines are prescribed to manage episodes of depression.
• Anti-anxiety medicines may be prescribed by doctors to improve sleep and curb restlessness, anxiety, and other heightened episodes.

What are the popular types of psychotherapies used as a treatment for depression and bipolar disorder?

• Psychoeducation is an initiative that helps patients and their loved ones to learn about bipolar disorders, understand the condition, and support patients to stick to the treatment and avert relapse.
• IPSRT or interpersonal and social rhythm therapy is a kind of therapy that targets to inculcate a consistent routine in patients with bipolar disease to stabilize daily activities like sleeping, to waking up on time and eating.
• Family-focused therapy is another way to treat and manage the bipolar condition. The treatment focuses on family support to help the patient stick to medication. The therapy encourages loved ones to identify and manage early signs of mood swings to prevent long-term relapse.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy is another type of treatment that is based on identifying the triggers that lead to bipolar episodes. The therapy aims at detecting unhealthy routines, negative thought processes, and the like to replace them with positive and healthy thoughts and activities.

What are the possible side effects of bipolar treatment?

• One of the most significant of bipolar treatment includes lifelong dependence.
• Skipping the medicine causes withdrawal effects and heightened episodes of suicidal tendencies, depression, mania, and the like.
• Other short-term side effects include trembling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, weight gain, and the like
• Increased need to have water and urinate are some of the most common side effects of the treatment for depression and bipolar disorder.