What Can Bipolar Treatment Help You With?
Bipolar therapy is important for anyone with bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymia. Bipolar therapy can help you to identify your triggers and learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage your moods. Bipolar therapy can help you in several ways including:- Understanding your disorder and how it affects you
- Learning to overcome stress and mood swings
- Challenging negative thoughts and behaviors
- Improving your relationships and communication skills
Treatment According to the Type of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I disorder is the more severe version of the disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by mania and depression. Treatment for bipolar I disorder involves medication, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, and therapy. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by hypomania and depression. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania that involves increased mood and energy levels, however does not pose a danger to the individual. Treatment for bipolar II involves medication, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, and therapy. Cyclothymia is a mood disorder that features shorter and less intense mood changes. Cyclothymia has similar treatment options in which you can choose a combination of medication and therapy, or just therapy to learn to effectively manage your triggers and mood fluctuations.Embrace Healing The Power of Trust in Therapeutic Relationships
“In my experience, the most effective aspect of therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Establishing trust between a client and clinician is the first step to healing.”
Medication Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Some medications for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers such as:- Lithium (Lithobid)
- Valproate (Depakene, Depakote)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel)
- Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- Risperidone (Risperdal)
- Ziprasidone (Geodon)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel)
- Risperidone (Risperdal)
- Ziprasidone (Geodon)
What Therapy Is Best for Bipolar Disorder?
A 2019 study found that complementary treatment, including therapy and medication, was more effective in treating bipolar disorder than medication alone. According to another research study from 2020 found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective therapy for bipolar disorder. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) helps people with bipolar disorder to create healthy schedules around sleep, food, and social activities.