What is the best biological therapy for bipolar disorder?
Valproic acid (Depakote) is a mood stabilizer that is helpful in treating the manic or mixed phases of bipolar disorder, along with carbamazepine (Equetro, Tegretol), another antiepileptic drug. These drugs may be used alone or in combination with lithium to control symptoms.
How does bipolar disorder work biologically?
Bipolar disorder is widely believed to be the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. The chemicals responsible for controlling the brain’s functions are called neurotransmitters, and include noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine.
What therapy is used for bipolar disorder?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves trying to change your patterns of thinking, is effective for bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychological Association.
What is the first line of treatment for bipolar disorder?
Lithium. Lithium is the first-line choice for preventing mood instability and treating mania. This agent is successful in treating aggressive behavior during acute manic episodes, and it is also the most successful long-term treatment for bipolar disorder.
Can bipolar be managed without medication?
Lifestyle changes. Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a range of lifestyle changes can help people with bipolar disorder to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
What is the best mood stabilizer for bipolar ll?
A review of 32 trials shows that lithium is the only mood stabilizer that has lowered the suicide rate in patients with bipolar disorder. Lithium has also been shown to mitigate relapse of bipolar disorder from 61% to 40%, and it prevents more manic episodes when compared with depressive episodes.
Is caffeine good for bipolar disorder?
Avoiding too much caffeine may be helpful for getting good sleep, which is especially important for people with bipolar disorder. When someone with bipolar disorder is feeling depressed, extra caffeine may temporarily cause a boost in energy, and possibly mood. The problem is that caffeine can disrupt sleep.
Where can I get help for bipolar disorder?
Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) NSW Health Clinical Redesign Program (University of Sydney, Australia)
What are the different types of treatment for depression?
Treatment options for management of depression can be broadly be divided into antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and psychosocial interventions.
How is the diagnosis and management of depression done?
Management of depression involves comprehensive assessment and proper establishment of diagnosis. The assessment must be based on detailed history, physical examination and mental state examinations. History must be obtained from all sources, especially the family.
Is it possible to treat depression in an outpatient setting?
Majority of the cases of depression seen in the clinical setting are of mild to moderate severity and can be managed at the outpatient setting. However, some patients have severe depression which may be further associated with psychotic symptoms, catatonic symptoms, poor physical health status, suicidal or homicidal behaviour etc.