Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder of that is found in adults, adolescents and children. It is classified as a brain disorder that leads to unusual swings in mood, energy and changes in the ability to function.
Treatment Centers
There are many treatment centers for bipolar disorder all over America. The main objective of these centers is to treat patients in a way that allows them to live a happy and prosperous life in the future. For that to happen, these centers employ professionals who are experts in treating bipolar disorder.
Understanding Patients
These centers first understand the degree of severity, intensity and frequency of mood in the individual. This is important because mood shifts vary with each patient, and they are disruptive to relationships, the work/school environment and the quality of life. It is of paramount importance for the person who is suffering with bipolar disorder to get proper treatment as quickly as possible to return to a normal functioning level and minimize the morbidity attached with this condition.
These treatment centers give rise to an environment of trust and there is open communication between the patient and physician which promotes effective management of the patient's immediate and ongoing treatment objectives. If the treatment objectives are implemented without any hassle, half the battle is already won.
Objective of Treatment Centers
The main objective of treatment centers include:
Review and handle ongoing, acute episodes.
Enable the patient to function normally.
Prevent relapses
Establish and maintain therapy.
Evaluate the mental stability in the patient.
Educate and support the patient and family.
Reconnect patient with normal habits.
Monitor sleep patterns.
Treatment Phases
There are two phases of treatment for bipolar disorder:
Treatment of an acute phase – short term treatment to stabilize or end the current episode.
Preventive or maintenance treatment – long term treatment that has a role in preventing or reducing the chance of future episodes.
Each stage of bipolar disorder is treated with a combination of drug therapy, psychotherapy and, in some circumstances, electroconvulsive therapy. In the acute phase of any episode in bipolar disorder, mania or depression, the objectives of treatment include:
Stabilize the episode.
Achieve remission.
Return the patient to a baseline level of functioning, with no symptoms.
Alternative Medicine
There is no research being implemented to prove the efficacy or safety of most alternative therapies, but it is important to notify treatment centers if you are taking any sort of alternative therapies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the production of the supplements (for example, St. John's Wort) people take for bipolar disorder and there is no official study regarding their effect on bipolar disorder.
There is some speculations that St. John's Wort may actually minimize the effectiveness of certain medications and may lead to a switch from depression to mania in some patients. According to recent study, people who were taking Omega-3 fatty acids (found in certain fish oils) reported longer periods of remission and a reduction in irritable mood. This study has not been confirmed so Omega-3 fatty acids have not been approved by the FDA for treatment of bipolar disorder.
