Although bipolar disorder is viewed as a long-term, often chronic condition, there are a variety of effective treatments available. People with bipolar disorder often seek out treatment according to what part of the cycle they’re in. When a person with bipolar disorder is in a manic or hypomanic phase, they may believe they have no further need of medications and stop taking them. When in a depressive phase, they often return to treatment.
Medication is nearly always a part of the recommended treatment course for bipolar disorder. People with undiagnosed bipolar disorder will sometimes self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to try and relieve their symptoms. However, such solutions rarely provide the type of long-term relief most people desire.The types of treatment that are commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder include:
- Mood stabilizers
Older medications, such as lithium, which are reliable and well-tolerated by most. Once the first-line treatment for bipolar disorder, they have largely been supplanted by atypical antipsychotics. - Atypical Antipsychotics
Newer, more expensive medications for bipolar disorder that may provide greater symptom relief, but also have greater side effects. - Psychotherapy and Self-Help
Psychotherapy and self-help strategies can keep someone with bipolar disorder stabilized and prevent relapse. - Other treatment strategies
Other treatments for bipolar disorder may include prescribing a combination of medications for bipolar, including antidepressants for bipolar. - Emerging Bipolar Treatments
- Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
- Some Ideas for Handling Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder
- Self-Help Strategies for Bipolar
- Psychotherapy, Medication or Both?
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