Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment and monitoring. While there’s no cure, it is a highly manageable condition when properly treated with medication, therapy, lifestyle support, and a strong care team. Learn more about the treatment of bipolar disorder below.
1. Medications
- Mood stabilisers: Lithium is the gold standard. Others include valproate and carbamazepine.
- Antipsychotics: Used in mania or mixed states (e.g. quetiapine, olanzapine).
- Antidepressants: Prescribed cautiously, often with a mood stabiliser to avoid triggering mania.
- Anti-anxiety medications: May be used short-term.
2. Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps manage distorted thinking and build coping skills.
- Psychoeducation: Teaching patients and families about bipolar disorder helps prevent relapse.
- Family therapy: Improves communication and support systems.
- Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): Focuses on stabilising daily routines.
3. Lifestyle management
- Consistent sleep schedule: Crucial for mood stability.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol: These can destabilise mood and interfere with medication.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can reduce depressive symptoms.
- Stress reduction: Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, and journaling are helpful.
4. Crisis planning
- Many patients benefit from a relapse prevention plan, including signs of an impending episode, emergency contacts, and treatment steps.
South African context:
- In private care, psychiatrists manage medication and therapy access. In the public sector, care may be fragmented or limited to medication from local clinics.
- NGOs like SADAG provide counselling, education, and helplines.
- Traditional healing may coexist with medical treatment in some communities, requiring sensitive integration.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Treatment takes time to adjust and may involve trial and error. But with consistency and support, most people with bipolar disorder lead successful, stable lives.
👉 [Next: Complications and Living with Bipolar Disorder]
