Devising the best plan to live with Bipolar Disorder is an important goal for patients as well as family members. The illness can be devastating if left un-addressed.
Your management plan should include attention to lifestyle, stress management, supports, and also medication options. There is no one-size-fits-all approach in the field—it is essential to put together a care plan with elements individualized for your needs.
While medication is one key element in successful treatment of Bipolar Disorder, psychotherapy, support groups, and education about the illness are also essential components of the treatment process.
People coping with any form of Bipolar illness deserve understanding and appreciation of the difficult path they must navigate to achieve wellness.
Mood Stabilizers
For Manic episodes lithium (Eskalith or Lithobid), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone(Geodon) and aripiprazole (Abilify)are often used as mood stabilizers.
And for Bipolar Depression, a combination of olanzapine, fluoxetine (Symbyax), and quetiapine (Seroquel)are used.
Medications for preventing (or delaying) recurrence include lithium (Eskalith or Lithobid), lamotrigine (Lamictal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and aripiprazole (Abilify)
Frequently a combination of two or more medications is used, especially during severe episodes of acute mania or depression.
Source: NAMI’s brochure ‘Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Recovery’ which be accessed here.
Disclaimer: Bipolar Disorder is a complicated mental illness, and while some patients prefer to use an approach of self-help, self-medication is a risk involved. It may lead to overdosing or substance abuse. The medications stated above are only for informational purposes and should not be taken without proper prescription from a qualified health practitioner.
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