Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

by A.B.
(Claremore, OK, USA)

One of the worst problems with Bipolar Disorder is that people who are suffering from the disorder are often not aware of the seriousness disruption that is caused by their forever-changing mood states. In the middle of a manic episode, the person is usually sure that there is nothing wrong with his/her behavior, and may even determine that they have never felt better.

It is because of this that it is often friends, family, and/or health care practitioners who notice that there is a serious problem and suggests the individual get professional help. Left untreated, the effects of bipolar disorder cannot only be disruptive; they can be fatal.

Individuals in manic states have often taken huge irrational risks that could have serious consequences such as losing a job, car accidents, bankruptcy, or unintentionally harming themselves or others.

Depressive states are just as dangerous and suicide rates are extremely high in this disorder. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, it is advisable to seek or encourage professional help.

Prescription medicine is usually used first to treat bipolar disorder once it is diagnosed. The most commonly prescribed drugs are: Lithium (Lithobid), anti-seizure medications such as valproic acid (Depakene) or topiramate (Topamax), mood regulators such as lamotrigine (Lamictal), Anti-psychotics such as rispiridone (Risperdal) or olanzapine (Zyprexa), anti-depressants such as fluroxetine (Prozac) or quetiapine (Seroquel). There is some debate concerning whether anti-depressants should be prescribed for bipolar disorder as they have the ability to trigger manic episodes.

Another treatment sometimes used when people do not respond to medication is ECT. The procedure involves the administering of a muscle relaxant and short-acting anesthetic followed by a small shock of electricity sent to the brain which causes a seizure that lasts for 40 seconds. ECT is often considered useful for those that fail to respond to drug treatments or are unable to use the medication prescribed, such as pregnant women, those that suffer adverse drug side-effects, or people that need immediate relief from symptoms. While the response rate to ECT is usually very fast, most studies show that it only has a short-term effect and should only be used for immediate relief from a severe bipolar episode. As with other treatment options, it is important to research all the precautions and possible side-effects of ECT. Memory loss has been implicated as a serious side-effect and has made ECT a contentious issue.

Should you wish to pursue a more natural approach to treatment there are several options that should be explored. Because bipolar disorder generally requires the common drug treatment, caution should be exercised when combining the two as there are certain natural remedies for bipolar disorder which may be contradictory to the psychiatric drugs. Natural remedies for bipolar disorder should be calming herbs which are usually safe to use along with psychiatric drugs for bipolar disorder. They include Passiflora incarnata and Lavender. Biochemic Tissue Salts such as Natrium sulphate, Kalium phosphate and Natrium phosphate can also be used as natural remedies for bipolar disorder since they have a calming and healing effect on the nervous system and help to regulate moods and prevent mood swings. Homeopathic remedies such as Tarentula and Hyoscyamus can also be very helpful and may safely be used together with psychiatric medication without a negative effect.

Consult a doctor, homeopath or naturopath for advice, especially when other medications are also in use.