Treatment Approaches
Medications have been developed to aid in correcting the biochemical imbalances
thought to be part of bipolar disorder. Lithium carbonate is usually
effective for approximately 70 percent of those who take it. Many brilliant
and successful people have reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder and
have been able to function successfully with competent and responsible
treatment. Some people who have taken lithium for bipolar disorder, however,
have complained that it robs them of their energy and creativity and
said that they actually miss the energy associated with manic phases of the illness.
This perceived loss, some of it realistic, can be a factor in relapse associated
with lithium noncompliance.
Other medications have been developed to help those individuals who
are considered lithium nonresponders or who find the side effects of lithium
intolerable. Anticonvulsant medications, such as Depakote (valproic
acid), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Lamictal (lamotrigine), which have
been found to have mood-stabilizing effects, are often prescribed to individuals
with bipolar disorder. During the depressive phase of the disorder,
electroconvulsive (shock) therapy (ECT) has also been administered to help
restore the individual’s mood to a normal level. Phototherapy is particularly
useful for individuals who have SAD. Psychotherapy, especially cognitivebehavioral
therapy or interpersonal social rhythm therapy, is viewed by most
practitioners as a necessary adjunct to medication. Indeed, psychotherapy
has been found to assist individuals with bipolar disorder in maintaining
medication compliance.
Local mental health associations are able to recommend psychiatric
treatment by board-certified psychiatrists and licensed psychologists who
specialize in the treatment of mood disorders. Often, temporary hospitalization
is necessary for complete diagnostic assessment, initial mood stabilization,
and intensive treatment, medication adjustment, or monitoring of an
individual who feels suicidal. As many as 15 percent of those with bipolar disorder
commit suicide. This frightening reality makes early intervention, relapse
prevention, and treatment of the disorder necessary to prevent such a
tragic outcome.
Sources for Further Study
Goldberg, J., and Martin Harrow, eds. Bipolar Disorders: Clinical Course and
Outcome.Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, 1999. This edited
volume summarizes recent research regarding the course and outcome
of bipolar disorder. Chapters are written by experts in the field.
Goodwin, Frederick K., and Kay R. Jamison. Manic Depressive Illness. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1990. This comprehensive book on bipolar
disorder provides information on diagnosis, theories regarding the
etiology of the disorder, and treatment options.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Manic Depressive Illness. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1990. This comprehensive book on bipolar
disorder provides information on diagnosis, theories regarding the
etiology of the disorder, and treatment options.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Diane C. Gooding and Karen Wolford
See also: Anxiety Disorders; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD); Clinical Depression; Depression; Drug Therapies; Madness: Historical
Concepts; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders;
Schizophrenia: Background, Types, and Symptoms; Schizophrenia: Theoretical
Explanations. Anxiety Disorders; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD); Clinical Depression; Depression; Drug Therapies; Madness: Historical
Concepts; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders;
Schizophrenia: Background, Types, and Symptoms; Schizophrenia: Theoretical
Explanations. Bipolar Disorders: Clinical Course and
Outcome.Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, 1999. This edited
volume summarizes recent research regarding the course and outcome
of bipolar disorder. Chapters are written by experts in the field.
Goodwin, Frederick K., and Kay R. Jamison. Manic Depressive Illness. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1990. This comprehensive book on bipolar
disorder provides information on diagnosis, theories regarding the
etiology of the disorder, and treatment options.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Manic Depressive Illness. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1990. This comprehensive book on bipolar
disorder provides information on diagnosis, theories regarding the
etiology of the disorder, and treatment options.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Diane C. Gooding and Karen Wolford
See also: Anxiety Disorders; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD); Clinical Depression; Depression; Drug Therapies; Madness: Historical
Concepts; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders;
Schizophrenia: Background, Types, and Symptoms; Schizophrenia: Theoretical
Explanations. Anxiety Disorders; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD); Clinical Depression; Depression; Drug Therapies; Madness: Historical
Concepts; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders;
Schizophrenia: Background, Types, and Symptoms; Schizophrenia: Theoretical
Explanations. .Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, 1999. This edited
volume summarizes recent research regarding the course and outcome
of bipolar disorder. Chapters are written by experts in the field.
Goodwin, Frederick K., and Kay R. Jamison. Manic Depressive Illness. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1990. This comprehensive book on bipolar
disorder provides information on diagnosis, theories regarding the
etiology of the disorder, and treatment options.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Manic Depressive Illness. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1990. This comprehensive book on bipolar
disorder provides information on diagnosis, theories regarding the
etiology of the disorder, and treatment options.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. An Unquiet Mind. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1995. An insightful
first-person account of a psychiatrist’s experience with bipolar disorder.
Offers descriptions of mania as well as depression and discusses relevant
issues such as the genetic basis of the disorder.
Johnson, Sheri L., and John E. Roberts. “Life Events and Bipolar Disorder:
Implications from Biological Theories.” Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Psychological Bulletin 117, no. 3
(1995): 434-449. This theoretical article was written for psychologists but
is readily accessible to laypeople. The authors review research and accounts
for ways in which life events, both positive and negative ones, may
trigger the onset of episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Diane C. Gooding and Karen Wolford
See also: Anxiety Disorders; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD); Clinical Depression; Depression; Drug Therapies; Madness: Historical
Concepts; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders;
Schizophrenia: Background, Types, and Symptoms; Schizophrenia: Theoretical
Explanations. Anxiety Disorders; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD); Clinical Depression; Depression; Drug Therapies; Madness: Historical
Concepts; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Personality Disorders;
Schizophrenia: Background, Types, and Symptoms; Schizophrenia: Theoretical
Explanations.
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