What Are the Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder?
What is it?
Bipolar disorder is not a mood swing. In bipolar disorder, the shifts in mood that the individual experiences are more severe than ordinary mood swings. The length of time that the mood shift can last can be 4 days, 7 days, or more (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition). The person does not bounce back immediately, and there is a recovery period.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is manageable with treatment. Therapy for bipolar disorder can include multiple different treatment options, and working with a therapist who is experienced in bipolar disorder is key.
For Individuals:
Some effective treatments and interventions for bipolar disorder in individual therapy can include a blend of education, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Education includes discussion of the symptoms of the diagnosis and what influences episodes, warning signs of an episode for the individual, how to prepare for future episodes, and stress management.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) was developed by Ellen Frank (2007) based upon data that showed that daily rhythms and relationships influence mood episodes in bipolar disorder. The therapist works with the client to obtain the timeline of the individual’s mood history and track mood episodes. Treatment includes 1) regulating sleep, eating, and daily activities because this helps to manage the diagnosis, 2) processing and addressing relationships and past experiences or changes, and 3) discussion around how the individual feels about having the diagnosis.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) includes learning about how situations, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. Common focuses in CBT include learning how difficulties are influenced by negative thinking patterns, using actions and problem solving during difficult situations, and how to practice helpful thoughts and behaviors.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps the individual when difficult situations, stressors, and symptoms arise. Clients learn effective and helpful actions, usage of present-moment strategies, and how to be guided by values when uncertainty, changes, or difficult situations arise.
For Couples and Families:
David Miklowitz (2010), created Family Focused Therapy (FFT) for couples and families of individuals living with bipolar disorder. In this treatment, the individual living with bipolar disorder and their partner(s) or immediate family members attend therapy together. Some common focuses in FFT are for each person to express their thoughts and feelings about bipolar disorder, learn about the warning signs of an episode and to develop an action plan, development of coping strategies for the couple or family unit, how to problem solve conflicts, and adjusting or modifying things in the environment so that the bipolar disorder symptoms can be better managed.
As you can see, treatment for bipolar disorder is complex and multifaceted. For those reasons, it’s important to work with a therapist who is experienced or specialized in bipolar disorder and its treatments.
References:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). What is cognitive behavioral therapy? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral. ;
Frank, E. (2007). Treating bipolar disorder: A clinician's guide to interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. Guilford.
Miklowitz, D., & Frank, E. (2010). Bipolar disorder, second edition: A family-focused treatment approach. Guilford Publications.
Articles & PAPERS: ACT Mindfully. Actmindfully. (2021, April 21). https://www.actmindfully.com.au/free-stuff/articles-papers/. ;
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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.
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