Bipolar Symptoms

Treatment for Bipolar

Bipolar is a disorder that can have a great affect on the individual and their life and family. one common definition of bipolar states that a person with bipolar disorder experiences states of extreme “up’s” followed by periods of deep depression. Previously bipolar was referred to as “Manic Depression”. A state of high, or mania, followed by the low, or depression.

Bipolar os far reaching as it affects not only the persons feelings but also their thoughts, behavior and perceptions.
Some experets believe bipolar is caused by a dysfunction of chemical and electrical elements in the brain, others believe it to have a genetical factor making those of a family history of bipolar or other mental illnesses more prone to bipolar.

There are many prescription medications given for bipolar. Not all are comfortable taking these drugs and are interested in pursuing alternative, or natural therapies instead of pharmaceuticals. (Changing anything in your prescribed regimen should be done with your clinician only)

Omega 3.
There are a number of researches showing that omega 3 found in fish oils and in certain fishes are excellent for bipolar patients and other mental illnesses. There was a significant research done in 30 bipolar patients for four months. It was a placebo-controlled and double-blind study. It aims to compare omega 3’s efficacy versus olive oil or placebo for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a neuropsychiatic illness with a high mortality and morbidity. In the preliminary study, it was proven that omega 3 performed better and resulted to longer remissions based on the four scales of symptom-severity. Further studies are still underway.

Herbs

Some resolve to the use of herbal supplements instead of taking prescription drugs. But not all herbs are good for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Herbs are powerful and just because they are natural does not mean they do not have negative effects. Some herbs can actually worsen the symptoms of bipolar, and some can worsen bipolar symptoms when taken in conjunction with a pharmaceutical. Consult your doctor first before taking any herbal medication in conjunction with other drugs.

Nutrition and Your Diet

What you eat has a great effect on your mental status. Cutting out items containing sugar, corn, wheat, carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners and caffeine just to mention a few, can go a long way in helping to stabilize your mood.

Pastoral Counseling

If you’re suffering from bipolar disorder, you can also seek help from your pastor, priest, or rabbi. The spiritual community may be of great help during these times. In fact, allopathic medicine is now recognizing the role of spirituality and prayers.

Art and Movement
Through the arts, you can express freely your feelings and do so without inhibitions. You can enroll in a drawing class, sculpting, painting, and many others. Many therapists combine art and therapy.

Moving the body produces the “feeling good hormones” such and endorphins. So enroll in a dance therapy. Let your feet tap away and your spirit soar while incorporating your physical, cognitive, and emotional facets to the dance.

Soothing music have an effect on the brain waves and can make a person relax. Enroll in sound or music therapy could be not only beneficial but fun as well. Your body chemicals can be stimulated to improve blood pressure and flow, breathing, pulse rate, and changes in posture.

Do make sure that any therapies you choose are OK’d by your therapist or doctor.

Bipolar disorder can control your life if not properly managed, and given bipolar medications.  However it is often difficult to diagnose, and many times difficult to find the right balancing act in treating it effectively.  There is a fine line bipolar disorder victims walk, and the trick lies in finding the perfect dosages and the perfect types of medications for your particular case.

There are several kinds bipolar medications prescribed for patients, and here we will cover the most common ones.  Mood stabilizers such as lithium, are used to treat both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder, and are often taken consistently, even during normal periods, in an effort to prevent extreme episodes from occuring.

Anticonvulsants such as Valproate and Carbamazepine are given to control periods of mania.  Again, they are often used in the prevention of episodes from occurring as well.

Bipolar medications like anti depressants such as Prozac or Wellbutrin are used to combat the severe lows of bipolar disorder, when the victim sinks into deep depression.

Antispsychotics are also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.  Drugs like Abilify and Clozaril  are used during periods of extreme mania, a victim can deteriorate into delusional behavior, or hallucinate.  This helps to curb those symptoms.

Antianxiety medication like Xanax  is sort of a short term quick solution in regards to bipolar medications.  It can help relieve stress in a person experiencing a manic episode, and can reduce symptoms of insomnia as well.

These are all the more common drugs that are prescribed for bipolar treatment, however there are several more available than just these.  Which type of bipolar medication you are prescribed depends entirely on your doctor, and the type of symptoms you are experiencing.  The basis of these meds are to help victims find a balance in their moods and prevent future episodes of severe mania or severe depression.

Once you have found the right balance, it is possible to live a full life mostly symptom free.  It is also important to remember that some of these bipolar medications can take several weeks to really create a noticible effect.  If you feel a particular medication isn’t working for you, or is causing adverse symptoms that you can’t live with, please inform your doctor so they can make a change for you.  Bipolar disorder can be managed when armed with the proper tools!