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Bipolar disorderis a mood disorder that can cause dramatic mood swings.Someone with bipolar disorder may experience highs and lows, known asmaniaanddepressionrespectively, that are far more pronounced than the ups and downs most people typically experience.It is estimated that 4.4% of adults in the United States experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.If you or a loved one have bipolar disorder, you may wonder whether the condition can be cured or how you can find relief from the symptoms.While bipolar disorder cannot be cured, the symptoms can be managed with therapy and medication.This article explores the various treatment options for bipolar disorder that can help you achieve stability, includingpsychotherapy, medication, additional therapies, andlifestyle changes.Can Bipolar Disorder Be Cured?Right now, there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, but a lot of people are able to achieve stability with treatment, saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder.”“Achieving stability is possible for most people, but it can often be a long and frustrating journey of experimenting with differentmedications, being in supportive therapy, and redesigning your lifestyle,” Dr. Daramus explains.This process can take several months, or even years, but it is possible if you cooperate and collaborate with your healthcare providers.Are There Different Types of Bipolar Disorder?Treatments for Bipolar DisorderBelow, Dr. Daramus elaborates on some of thetreatment optionsthat can help with bipolar disorder, including:TherapyMedicationNeurotherapeuticsSupport groupsTherapyThere are several forms of psychotherapy that have been shown to be helpful with bipolar disorder. Two of these include:Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)This type of psychotherapy has an evidence baseto strongly support its use as a form of therapy for bipolar disorder if available:It provides psycho-education regarding the illness.It uses mood and activity tracking to promote consistent daily routines.It helps regulate sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.It identifies and works on resolving interpersonal problem areas, and explores grief for the loss of the healthy self.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)CBTcan also be helpful for managing bipolar disorder. It involves helping patients recognize and modify the link between maladaptive thoughts and mood symptoms, uses exercises to identify and modify maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, and helps with learning strategies to detect new mood episodes.Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)andmindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)are two related forms of psychotherapy that may also be helpful.Therapy can help you identify the beginnings of a depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode and work with your therapist, prescriber, and support system so you can get the help you need.MedicationThese are some of the types of medication that can help with bipolar disorder:Mood stabilizers, which are the most common type of medication for bipolar disorder.They’re effective in preventing and managing mood episodes. Lithium is the most common primary mood stabilizer. Although it is often effective, it requires monitoring of blood levels as well as other functions, including your kidney and thyroid.Anticonvulsants: Certain anticonvulsants, which are also called antiseizure medications, have mood stabilizing properties. Valproic acid (depakote) and lamotrigine (lamictal) are two of the most common.Antidepressants, which can help with depressive episodes but often need to be used in combination withmood stabilizersor be avoided, as they can potentially trigger manic episodes.Antipsychotics, which can help control symptoms of mania, depression, as well as symptoms ofpsychosissuch as hallucinations and delusions that may accompany mood episodes.NeurotherapeuticsSometimes, patients with bipolar disorder do not adequately respond to psychotherapy and medications. Neurotherapeutic interventions are administered through devices that impact brain circuitry. There are several including:Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): ECT is a procedure in which a small amount of electricity is administered to the brain under anesthesia. This causes a brief, controlled seizure. A course of ECT can sometimes be effective for depressive or manic episodes that have been refractory to conventional treatment.Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): TMS is a procedure where magnetic fields are administered to certain areas of the brain and can potentially be helpful for certain mood symptoms.Light therapy: Sometimes, people with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, have a seasonal pattern to their symptoms,often with depressive symptoms worsening in the shorter winter months. Bright light therapy may be helpful with seasonal depression.Support GroupsSupport groupsor other mental health communities can help members provide each other with mutual support and share a common understanding of what it can be like to live with bipolar disorder.Aimee Daramus, PsyDIt’s important to be around other people who know what it’s like, so you can feel understood.Social support can always be helpful when you’re managing a mental health condition. It can often be difficult to explain what having bipolar disorder feels like to someone who does not understand it.Coping StrategiesAccording to Dr. Daramus, these are some strategies that can help you cope with bipolar disorder:Take your medication as prescribed:It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take yourmedicationregularly as prescribed. Don’t stop taking it—even if you feel fine—without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider and let them know if you’re experiencing any side effects.Stick to a regular sleep schedule:Lack ofsleepor irregular sleeping habits can aggravate the symptoms of bipolar disorder.Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get adequate sleep every day.Maintain healthy relationships:Having healthy relationships can be challenging. However, relationship stress, particularly with those you are intimately involved with, can be destabilizing for your illness.Tell loved ones how they can support you:In addition to offering emotional support, you can also ask your loved ones for other forms of help. For instance, if you feel a manic episode coming on, you can ask a trusted friend or family member to monitor your spending, so you don’t overspend. Or, if you feel a depressive episode coming on, you can ask them to check in on you regularly.Find productive outlets for your energy and emotions:You will probably have boundless amounts of energy during a manic episode. Find productive outlets that you can channel this energy toward, such as work projects or hobbies you enjoy. Exercise can also be a helpful way to use some of your energy and can have its own mood benefits. During a depressive episode, creative activities like music, art, or craft can help you express your emotions.Try meditation:Meditationandmindfulness exercisescan help you manage a variety of the feelings you may experience as part of your illness, such as sadness, guilt, and helplessness.Avoid substances:Substances like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can interfere with your medication and trigger mood episodes, so it’s important to stop using them and focus on treatment.9 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar DisorderA Word From VerywellBipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that unfortunately does not have a cure yet, so treatment requires consistent commitment.While finding the right treatment for you can take some time and effort, it’s possible to achieve some degree of stability with the right combination of medication,therapy, lifestyle changes, and support.
Bipolar disorderis a mood disorder that can cause dramatic mood swings.Someone with bipolar disorder may experience highs and lows, known asmaniaanddepressionrespectively, that are far more pronounced than the ups and downs most people typically experience.
It is estimated that 4.4% of adults in the United States experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.If you or a loved one have bipolar disorder, you may wonder whether the condition can be cured or how you can find relief from the symptoms.
While bipolar disorder cannot be cured, the symptoms can be managed with therapy and medication.
This article explores the various treatment options for bipolar disorder that can help you achieve stability, includingpsychotherapy, medication, additional therapies, andlifestyle changes.
Can Bipolar Disorder Be Cured?
Right now, there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, but a lot of people are able to achieve stability with treatment, saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder.”
“Achieving stability is possible for most people, but it can often be a long and frustrating journey of experimenting with differentmedications, being in supportive therapy, and redesigning your lifestyle,” Dr. Daramus explains.
This process can take several months, or even years, but it is possible if you cooperate and collaborate with your healthcare providers.
Are There Different Types of Bipolar Disorder?
Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
Below, Dr. Daramus elaborates on some of thetreatment optionsthat can help with bipolar disorder, including:
Therapy
There are several forms of psychotherapy that have been shown to be helpful with bipolar disorder. Two of these include:
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)
This type of psychotherapy has an evidence baseto strongly support its use as a form of therapy for bipolar disorder if available:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBTcan also be helpful for managing bipolar disorder. It involves helping patients recognize and modify the link between maladaptive thoughts and mood symptoms, uses exercises to identify and modify maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, and helps with learning strategies to detect new mood episodes.Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)andmindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)are two related forms of psychotherapy that may also be helpful.
Therapy can help you identify the beginnings of a depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode and work with your therapist, prescriber, and support system so you can get the help you need.
Medication
These are some of the types of medication that can help with bipolar disorder:
Neurotherapeutics
Sometimes, patients with bipolar disorder do not adequately respond to psychotherapy and medications. Neurotherapeutic interventions are administered through devices that impact brain circuitry. There are several including:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): ECT is a procedure in which a small amount of electricity is administered to the brain under anesthesia. This causes a brief, controlled seizure. A course of ECT can sometimes be effective for depressive or manic episodes that have been refractory to conventional treatment.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): TMS is a procedure where magnetic fields are administered to certain areas of the brain and can potentially be helpful for certain mood symptoms.
Light therapy: Sometimes, people with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, have a seasonal pattern to their symptoms,often with depressive symptoms worsening in the shorter winter months. Bright light therapy may be helpful with seasonal depression.
Support Groups
Support groupsor other mental health communities can help members provide each other with mutual support and share a common understanding of what it can be like to live with bipolar disorder.
Aimee Daramus, PsyDIt’s important to be around other people who know what it’s like, so you can feel understood.
Aimee Daramus, PsyD
It’s important to be around other people who know what it’s like, so you can feel understood.
Social support can always be helpful when you’re managing a mental health condition. It can often be difficult to explain what having bipolar disorder feels like to someone who does not understand it.
Coping Strategies
According to Dr. Daramus, these are some strategies that can help you cope with bipolar disorder:
9 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder
A Word From Verywell
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that unfortunately does not have a cure yet, so treatment requires consistent commitment.
While finding the right treatment for you can take some time and effort, it’s possible to achieve some degree of stability with the right combination of medication,therapy, lifestyle changes, and support.
12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.Medline Plus.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Cleveland Clinic.Bipolar disorder.Steardo L Jr, Luciano M, Sampogna G, et al.Efficacy of the interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) in patients with bipolar disorder: Results from a real-world, controlled trial.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2020;19:15. doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00266-7Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974Bialer M.Why are antiepileptic drugs used for nonepileptic conditions?Epilepsia. 2012;53 Suppl 7:26-33. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03712.xMcInerney SJ, Kennedy SH.Review of evidence for use of antidepressants in bipolar depression.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(5):10.4088/PCC.14r01653. doi:10.4088/PCC.14r01653Jauhar S, Young AH.Controversies in bipolar disorder; role of second-generation antipsychotic for maintenance therapy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2019;7(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-019-0145-0Aguglia A, Borsotti A, Maina G.Bipolar disorders: is there an influence of seasonality or photoperiod?Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):6-11. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2144Lam RW, Teng MY, Jung YE, et al.Light therapy for patients with bipolar depression: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Can J Psychiatry. 2020;65(5):290-300. doi:10.1177/0706743719892471Pandya SP.Meditation for treating adults with bipolar disorder II: A multi-city study.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2019;26(2):252-261. doi:10.1002/cpp.2347
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.Medline Plus.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Cleveland Clinic.Bipolar disorder.Steardo L Jr, Luciano M, Sampogna G, et al.Efficacy of the interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) in patients with bipolar disorder: Results from a real-world, controlled trial.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2020;19:15. doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00266-7Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974Bialer M.Why are antiepileptic drugs used for nonepileptic conditions?Epilepsia. 2012;53 Suppl 7:26-33. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03712.xMcInerney SJ, Kennedy SH.Review of evidence for use of antidepressants in bipolar depression.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(5):10.4088/PCC.14r01653. doi:10.4088/PCC.14r01653Jauhar S, Young AH.Controversies in bipolar disorder; role of second-generation antipsychotic for maintenance therapy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2019;7(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-019-0145-0Aguglia A, Borsotti A, Maina G.Bipolar disorders: is there an influence of seasonality or photoperiod?Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):6-11. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2144Lam RW, Teng MY, Jung YE, et al.Light therapy for patients with bipolar depression: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Can J Psychiatry. 2020;65(5):290-300. doi:10.1177/0706743719892471Pandya SP.Meditation for treating adults with bipolar disorder II: A multi-city study.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2019;26(2):252-261. doi:10.1002/cpp.2347
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.Medline Plus.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Cleveland Clinic.Bipolar disorder.Steardo L Jr, Luciano M, Sampogna G, et al.Efficacy of the interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) in patients with bipolar disorder: Results from a real-world, controlled trial.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2020;19:15. doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00266-7Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974Bialer M.Why are antiepileptic drugs used for nonepileptic conditions?Epilepsia. 2012;53 Suppl 7:26-33. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03712.xMcInerney SJ, Kennedy SH.Review of evidence for use of antidepressants in bipolar depression.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(5):10.4088/PCC.14r01653. doi:10.4088/PCC.14r01653Jauhar S, Young AH.Controversies in bipolar disorder; role of second-generation antipsychotic for maintenance therapy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2019;7(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-019-0145-0Aguglia A, Borsotti A, Maina G.Bipolar disorders: is there an influence of seasonality or photoperiod?Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):6-11. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2144Lam RW, Teng MY, Jung YE, et al.Light therapy for patients with bipolar depression: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Can J Psychiatry. 2020;65(5):290-300. doi:10.1177/0706743719892471Pandya SP.Meditation for treating adults with bipolar disorder II: A multi-city study.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2019;26(2):252-261. doi:10.1002/cpp.2347
National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.Medline Plus.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.
National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
Cleveland Clinic.Bipolar disorder.
Steardo L Jr, Luciano M, Sampogna G, et al.Efficacy of the interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) in patients with bipolar disorder: Results from a real-world, controlled trial.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2020;19:15. doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00266-7
Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974
Bialer M.Why are antiepileptic drugs used for nonepileptic conditions?Epilepsia. 2012;53 Suppl 7:26-33. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03712.x
McInerney SJ, Kennedy SH.Review of evidence for use of antidepressants in bipolar depression.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(5):10.4088/PCC.14r01653. doi:10.4088/PCC.14r01653
Jauhar S, Young AH.Controversies in bipolar disorder; role of second-generation antipsychotic for maintenance therapy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2019;7(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-019-0145-0
Aguglia A, Borsotti A, Maina G.Bipolar disorders: is there an influence of seasonality or photoperiod?Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):6-11. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2144
Lam RW, Teng MY, Jung YE, et al.Light therapy for patients with bipolar depression: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Can J Psychiatry. 2020;65(5):290-300. doi:10.1177/0706743719892471
Pandya SP.Meditation for treating adults with bipolar disorder II: A multi-city study.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2019;26(2):252-261. doi:10.1002/cpp.2347
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