Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

Goals of Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

It is critical for the person with bipolar to seek appropriate treatment as quickly as possible in order to return to a normal functioning level and to reduce the morbidity associated with this condition. An atmosphere of trust and open communication between the patient and physician is highly beneficial since it promotes effective management of the patient's immediate and ongoing treatment goals that include:

• Evaluating and treating acute episodes
• Minimizing functional disruption
• Preventing episode recurrences
• Establishing and maintaining a therapy protocol
• Monitoring the patient's psychiatric condition
• Providing education, support and assistance to the patient and their families
• Helping the patient reestablish daily functioning and sleep patterns during and between episodes
• Identifying stressors that can trigger episodes
• Recognizing the onset of an episode as early as possible

By reducing the frequency, severity, and social consequences of bipolar disorder, the patient is able to function as effectively as possible.

There are two stages of treatment for bipolar disorder:

• Treatment of an acute phase which stabilizes or ends the current episode.
• Treatment for the preventive or maintenance phase over the long term to prevent or minimize future episode

Each phase of bipolar is treated with a combination of drug therapy, psychotherapy, and under certain circumstances, electroconvulsive therapy.