Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that’s characterized by shifts in mood, depressive episodes, and manic episodes. While living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, treatment is available to people who are diagnosed with this condition. But, what can a person who is struggling with the effects of bipolar disorder expect from a treatment plan for bipolar disorder?

Prescription Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder

One of the most traditional and effective methods of treating bipolar disorder is prescription medications. Medications can affect people differently and certain medications work for some people and don’t work for others. So, there are a variety of medications that are approved and utilized by professionals in the treatment of a bipolar disorder. Some of the most commonly used prescription medications used in the treatment of bipolar disorder include:

Antidepressants: Antidepressants are sometimes used, in combination with other medications, if a person is struggling with symptoms of depression. Using antidepressants can help to alleviate symptoms of depressive symptoms during depressive episodes.

Antipsychotics: These medications can also be used in combination with other medications. Adding antipsychotics can help to reduce symptoms of both manic and depressive episodes for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Mood Stabilizers: These types of medications are often prescribed to people with bipolar disorder because they can help to reduce symptoms during manic episodes.

Medications can be used in combination with one another to be more effective. It may take a while for a person to find the best combination for their own needs. However, it’s important that, whatever is prescribed, is taken by exactly how the doctor has prescribed.

Therapies Used in Treating Bipolar Disorder

Therapy is very beneficial to people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder when used in combination with other techniques and prescription medication. Behavioral therapies are therapy methods that focus on unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns that are often developed as the result of mental health issues, including bipolar disorder. Some of the types of behavioral therapies that are commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of behavioral therapy focuses on negative thought patterns that can transform into negative behavioral patterns due to mental health issues like bipolar disorder. It can help people recognize these negative thoughts and behaviors in order to transform them in healthy ways. It can also help people learn about and identify the triggers for these negative thoughts and behaviors so they can be avoided.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This type of behavioral therapy is used to evoke mindfulness, which is the act of living in the present moment. Mindfulness can help people living with mental health issues better understand how to navigate negative emotions regarding the past and future, which can be helpful in a mental healing journey.

Getting Help for Bipolar Disorder at Yellowbrick

Are you struggling with the effects of bipolar disorder? Treatment is available and helpful for people diagnosed with this mental illness at Yellowbrick. Find out more about our treatment services and how we can help from our website.