bipolar
How To Treat Bipolor Depression?
There are many different types of treatment for bipolar disorder. It is common for doctors to provide patients with mood stabilizing drugs, which is the main form of treatment for bipolar disorder. They may prescribe lithium or an antipsychotic drug. Many times, doctors prescribe both in hopes that it will help symptoms of depression and not cause manic episodes. In this post you will learn about the treatments available for bipolar depression.
Standard Treatments
Lithium, anticonvulsants lamotrigine and valproate are mood stabilizers which are occasionally used “off label” as remedies for bipolar depression. However, none of them have been approved by the FDA as a treatment for bipolar depression. For several years, psychiatrists have traditionally included an antidepressant with a mood stabilizer in case a mood stabilizer alone is unsuccessful; however, research has shown that antidepressants are usually not effective for treating bipolar depression.
In certain patients with bipolar disorder, a mood stabilizer may be all that is needed to regulate mood. However, in bipolar patients who don’t respond to a single mood stabilizer, another mood stabilizer or an atypical antipsychotic is added to the treatment regimen.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are a powerful treatment for those who have major depressive (uni polar) disease. They are not as effective for bipolar depression. Patients should not be given monotherapy as the only treatment for bipolar disorder. When antidepressants are prescribed exclusively with bipolar disorder, there is a threat the medication might provoke a manic episode. Most physicians can prevent using antidepressants, like monotherapy, for bipolar depression.
Antipsychotic Medications
Antipsychotic drugs can also help treat bipolar depression. Quetiapine can be used to treat short-term bipolar depression. Also, olanzpine with or without the help of fluozetine can help. These prescription drugs work by affecting the receptors for chemicals in the brain that assist in regulating mood and behavior.
Central Nervous System Depressants
These include drugs like benzodiazepines that behave like neurotransmitters to help slow down normal brain function. Normally, it is used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. It can also assist other therapies for patients with acute mania.
Electroconvulsant Therapy (ECT)
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a good treatment in addition to prescription medication. This type of therapy combines interpersonal psychotherapy with behavioral techniques. This helps patients learn how to manage their medication, normalize their lifestyle and handle interpersonal problems. Adding psychotherapy to medication can greatly speed up the response of treatment.
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