Which Treatments Are Most Effective for Bipolar Disorder?
The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and medication, McFerren says.
The most effective psychotherapies for bipolar disorder include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy This form of therapy helps people with bipolar disorder identify triggers that may cause a mood episode and enables them to develop healthy thinking and behavioral patterns to better manage their mood.
- Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy This therapeutic technique involves developing regular daily routines that can help reduce the risk of future mood episodes, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, eating meals at regular times, and decreasing stressful triggers in one’s surroundings.
- Family-Focused Therapy This includes both the person with bipolar disorder and the people closest to them, such as spouses or parents, so that everyone is well-informed about the condition and develops problem-solving skills.
Several medicines can help alleviate the severity of symptoms for people with bipolar disorder:
If you are prescribed medication to treat bipolar disorder, don’t stop taking it without consulting your doctor first. Taking medication as directed reduces the likelihood of future mood episodes, and stopping and restarting medication abruptly can be dangerous.
“The most important thing in managing bipolar disorder is to maintain a consistent medication regime,” McFerren says. “Often, people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder hit a point where they are regulated on medication and either miss the euphoria that can come with a manic episode, or they feel great after being on the medication for a period of time and feel they don’t need them anymore.”
Other therapies used to treat bipolar disorder include:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation, a depression treatment which uses a magnetic coil placed on your scalp
- Electroconvulsive therapy, which treats medication-resistant symptoms, uses a controlled electrical current to trigger a brief seizure while you’re under anesthesia
- Esketamine (Spravato), via nasal spray, for treatment-resistant depression or depression with suicidal thoughts or behaviors
In addition to professional treatment, adopting new habits often helps people better manage their mood, whether or not they have bipolar disorder. Lifestyle habits that may help include:
- Keeping a consistent daily routine by taking your medication, eating meals, and going to sleep at the same times each day
- Minimizing stress by simplifying your life where you can and trying activities like exercise, meditation, tai chi, and yoga
- Keeping a daily mood journal in which you briefly note changes in your mood to help you recognize triggers and give your doctor feedback on how well treatment is working
- Maintaining a healthy support system by helping certain family members and friends learn about bipolar disorder and how best to support you; they can even help you recognize the symptoms of a mood episode
Also important: Steer clear of over-the-counter and illegal drugs that cause changes in your mood and thoughts, says Center. These include tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin, among others.
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