Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
The treatment of bipolar disorder (manic depression) is usually two fold – medications and therapy. Found here are resources relating to the various types of therapy utilized in the treatment of mental illnesses. This also includes information relating to hospitalization, research studies that offer treatment, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and some alternative therapies.
- Alternative Therapies (9)
- DBT (8)
- ECT (28)
- Mental Healthcare Providers (18)
- Psychiatric Hospitalization (26)
- Research Studies (11)
How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
A treatment plan for bipolar disorder primarily consists of pharmacological intervention (medications) with therapy as a possible additional intervention. At times, psychiatric hospitalizations may be necessary. There are also treatment options that are less common and those that are usually considered only in extreme circumstances.
Try a Change of Pace
How the behavioral therapy known as 'pacing' can be part of the treatment for bipolar disorder. Written by Sara Denning Abbott.
Bilateral Cingulotomy - Psychosurgery for Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Depression
Bilateral cingulotomy is a surgical procedure which may be performed in cases of treatment-resistant mental illnesses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and major depression.
Light Therapy: A Bright Idea
Phototherapy, also known as light therapy and light box therapy, is the use of light to treat disorders. It has become a widely used remedy for mental illnesses such as seasonal affective disorder and some research supports it benefits for sleep disturbances, depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizoaffective disorder and even...
Psychotherapy
Leonard Holmes, Ph.D., About.com Guide to Mental Health Resources, answers the question "What is psychotherapy?" in some depth.
Visiting a New Psychiatrist
Worried about your first visit to a psychiatrist or therapist? This technique will go a long way toward reducing your anxiety and will also get you and your new doctor off to a good start together, helping the doctor give you the best possible help with your mental illness.
Algorithms for the Treatment of BP
A highly technical presentation of treatment outlines.
American Psychiatric Association's Guidelines
From the First International Conference on Bipolar Disorder, this article is aimed toward practicing psychiatrists.
Bipolar Treatments - Other Than Medication
An excellent examination of various treatment options and issues, including discussions of noncompliance and dealing with stigma.
Bipolar II: Guidelines for Health Care Providers
Psychiatrist James Phelps says, "Here you will learn how to 'rule in' such variations as Bipolar II, Bipolar Mixed States, 'cyclothymia', and Rapid Cycling Bipolar disorder. Other variations not recognized by the DSM are also addressed here."
Charting the Course of Bipolar Illness
Detailed article for the mental health professional, including sections such as Symptom Checklist, Psychosocial Stressors, and several more.
Choosing the Appropriate Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
A 1997 article directed toward mental health professionals, which will probably have some value still in spite of being out of date.
Combination Treatment Often Necessary for Bipolar Disorder
Report on a session at the May 1999 meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, explaining why multiple medications are needed to treat Bipolar Disorder.
Compliance or Concordance: Is There a Difference?
Will more patients faithfully follow prescribed treatment if they have had a part in determining what that treatment will be?
A Consumer Speaks Out
Consumers Kristen Quigley and Ken Braiterman share their beliefs in the importance of psychotherapy.
General Clinical Approach to Bipolar Patients
From the First International Conference on Bipolar Disorder, this article includes some interesting Q&A items.
How To Be A Good Patient
This is simply a great article, written by a psychotherapist.
Life Charts Track Bipolar Disorder Over Time
Using a life chart, the therapist can map on a time line a patient's retrospective and current experience with bipolar disorder.
Overview of Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
This overview is a report from the May 1999 meeting of the American Psychological Association.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
A compilation of guidelines by the Expert Consensus Panel for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder.
Bipolar Disorder - What Are the Treatments?
This is be a good place for "beginners" to start.
Untreated Bipolar Disorder
CANMAT presents problems and statistics relating to undertreated and untreated Bipolar Disorder.
