Can Bipolar Disorder Be Treated?

Can Bipolar Disorder be Treated? Yes it can be treated. However, this condition is something that patients have to learn to manage for the rest of their lives. This is because even though bipolar disorder can be treated, relapses can happen. Continuous or follow – up treatment might be recommended depending on the progress of the patient’s condition. In this article, you’ll learn the answer to your question, can bipolar disorder be treated?

Can bipolar disorder be treated: Severity of the Symptoms

Can Bipolar Disorder be Treated? The types of episodes as well as the severity of the symptoms that a patient goes through usually depend on the type of bipolar disorder either type I or type II, although there are other mental conditions that is also exhibiting symptoms similar to bipolar disorder.

How the person acts during their bipolar episodes as well as how long the symptoms last is subjective and can vary greatly. For mood episodes, it can last for a couple of days to a week or two. Regardless of the bipolar disorder type, the episodes are interspersed with periods where they don’t experience any symptoms or they are functioning on a normal state. This is very important to remember. Patients do not exhibit manic or depressive moods all the time.

Laboratory Tests

Can bipolar disorder be treated? Most patients have gotten used to doing specialized blood tests as well as typical laboratory tests as it usually help physicians make an accurate findings. However, most imaging and lab tests are not useful to properly diagnosed bipolar disorder.  Perhaps the most important diagnostic tool is when a person consults with his/ her doctor to talk about the symptoms that one may be having. If you’re feeling some sort of mood swings or unusual behaviors and a change in lifestyle habits, it’s best to talk to a professional. Obviously, physical tests can reveal the overall state of a patient. In this way, the doctor can be more accurate with his diagnosis, and your illness will also be effectively and properly treated. 

Can bipolar disorder be treated: Medications and Management

Can bipolar disorder be treated? As we’ve mentioned earlier, bipolar disorder is treatable. The treatment and management of the bipolar disorder usually involve medication but it can also be in combination with psychotherapy or talk therapy. Keep in mind that each person is different which means the management of the disorder is personalized depending on the severity of the condition. Different people respond in different ways so there’s no guarantee that medications and psychotherapy will immediately cure the illness. Patients may also need to try various combinations of medications and therapy methods to see what works or doesn’t work for them.

Can bipolar disorder be treated? Prescribed medications are also known as mood stabilizers. When it comes to psychotherapy, the patient can work with a mental health professional or a psychiatrist in order to deal with their condition, better understand what’s happening and also rebuild relationships or their function in society.

What About Relapse?

Can bipolar disorder be treated? A psychiatrist prescribes medications as part of the patient’s treatment plan. Keep in mind that bipolar disorder is a kind of recurring mental problem which means it can come back. There could be instances of relapse which is why ongoing preventive treatment is advised. In most cases, the condition can be controlled in a much better way if the patient receives continuous treatment.

Can bipolar disorder be treated? There are however some cases that both psychotherapy and medication haven’t helped. This is why a treatment called Electroconvulsive Therapy is used. This procedure usually takes around ten minutes or so.

Bipolar disorder can certainly interrupt a person’s life. This can also create an intense and stressful environment around their personal and professional lives. This is why it’s very important for them to get professional help. For family members, it’s also good to join support groups so that they can learn strategies on how to deal with their relatives who have this condition. It’s also a good thing for families to be an active part of treatment while gaining support for themselves.

A Lifelong Condition

According to experts, this condition is a lifelong diagnosis that may around the early 20s. Some people do exhibit symptoms at a young age, while some feel it in their late adulthood. Usually, after the manifestation of 1^st mood – elevate episodes, the patient will learn from their physicians that they are always going to be at risk of having another episode/s for the rest of their lives.  

This is why a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder will most likely need to work with a therapist all their lives as well as be on medication. You see, symptoms won’t magically disappear just because you’ve been taking meds, going to therapy or simply taking the time and effort to develop coping methods. Having a mental health condition is like having a cold but it’s in your head. Sometimes you’ll feel good, sometimes not so much; sometimes you need to sleep on it etc. Medication and therapy certainly helps if you want to go through this with ease.

The key is to keep doing the right thing and embracing your condition so that you can find ways on how you can better deal with it. We hope this article answer your question, can bipolar disorder be treated? Stay tune for more posts!