What are the treatment methods for bipolar disorder? What types of psychotherapy are applied? Experts warn: Domestic conflicts can trigger bipolar disease.
Experts state that bipolar disorder, which is a chronic disease, has periods of recovery and say that these periods can be provided with personalized treatments.
Experts emphasize that conflicts within the family and decreased social support may play a role in triggering the disease and said, “If the awareness of the family or the environment about the disease is low, this may cause some obstacles and neglect in the person’s access to treatment. Therefore, it is very important not only to increase the awareness of the patient but also to educate the family.” They use the expressions.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness that can affect a person’s mood and behavior. Bipolar mood disorder is also known as manic depressive illness. At one end of bipolar, there are depressive episodes, and at the other end, there are episodes that we call manic periods. It causes serious changes in the person, ranging from intense depression and unhappiness to overflowing energy.[1]
During the manic period, the person experiences an overly enthusiastic, exuberant mood.
During the mania period, the person may experience an overly enthusiastic mood. An increase in the person’s self-confidence, energy, speech rate, libido, tense or sudden movements may be observed. A person may feel the need for less sleep than usual and be energetic despite sleeping less. The tendency to fight, which we call irritability, may increase. There may be excessive spending of money. They may have some unrealistic beliefs about what they will do. Reasoning and judgment may weaken. Symptoms such as difficulty in focusing, jumping from one thought to another, flying thoughts in the mind, and making quick decisions without thinking can be seen during the mania period.[2]
Unlike mania, there is an increase in sleep during depression
During the depression period, unlike the overly enthusiastic and overflowing mood of mania, feelings such as feeling depressed, sad, distressed and empty may be observed.
The person gradually begins to lose interest and desire, and this is accompanied by a decrease in energy. He/she has difficulties in coping with the problems he encounters. Self-care decreases. Has difficulty falling asleep and waking up early. Again, unlike mania, an increase in sleep may be observed. Appetite may increase or decrease. The person may feel exhausted and tired most of the time. The flow of thoughts slows down and is accompanied by pessimism and despair. Thoughts of harming oneself or suicide may be among these symptoms.
Patients also have periods of remission
Bipolar disorder patients can sometimes experience both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. This situation is called a mixed episode.
It is important to remember that this disease is a chronic disease. However, lifelong does not mean that the person will be sick with attacks until the end of his life. There will be periods of well-being, periods of well-being, which we call remission, in which one thinks healthily, exhibits healthy behaviors, feels euthymic (a normal mood that is not depressed or exuberant), that is, is neither in mania nor in depression. Although this period varies from person to person, it can be achieved with personalized treatments.[3]
Families should recognize bipolar disorder
Families play a very important role in the treatment of bipolar disorder. For this reason, working with families is very important. The family’s recognition of the disease, learning the symptoms, supporting the patient to channel the regular treatment process, and working on any attitude and behavioral errors are of great importance in maintaining the person’s well-being.
Family conflicts are a stress factor. At this point, it is very important to get family counseling from an expert. Your most important duty at home is to support your relative in receiving regular treatment.
Environmental factors trigger bipolar disorder
Environmental factors can have a triggering role in bipolar disorder. Situations such as family conflicts, decreased social support, alcohol and substance use may play a role in exacerbating or triggering the existing disease. In fact, if the family or the environment has low awareness of the disease, it may cause some obstacles and neglect in the person’s access to treatment. Therefore, it is very important not only to raise the awareness of the patient but also to educate the family.
What are the treatment methods for bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder that affects a person’s mood, energy, concentration and daily activities. This disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating between manic periods, during which the person suddenly feels very good, and depression periods, during which he becomes withdrawn after a while.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Psychiatric follow-up, medication use and psychotherapy process have a very critical role in the treatment. Especially in therapies, it is aimed to establish a trust relationship with the person on a therapeutic basis, to increase awareness of the disease, to support treatment compliance, to identify triggers and stressors, to recognize emotions and to develop and use regulation skills.[4]
Here are the treatment methods for bipolar disorder:
- Medication: Emotion-regulating medications are used to balance emotional imbalances.
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients improve their emotional regulation.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): It is a method used especially to treat manic periods.
In addition, eating habits, sleeping habits, avoiding alcohol and substance use, family and social support, developing functional thinking and stress coping skills are also important during the treatment process.
Bipolar disorder patients receiving inpatient treatment basically receive both psychiatric treatment and regular individual psychotherapy sessions. We work with the family and the family is strengthened in terms of attitude and awareness of the disease. During the post-discharge period, regular follow-ups are provided and the patient’s functionality and well-being are significantly restored, at levels that vary from person to person.
What types of psychotherapy are used for bipolar disorder?
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy used to improve an individual’s mental health and address their emotional problems. In conditions such as bipolar disorder, psychotherapy is an important treatment method to relieve symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Here are some types of psychotherapy for bipolar disorder:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps patients identify thought patterns and change negative thoughts. CBT focuses on controlling overconfidence during manic periods and addressing hopelessness during periods of depression.
- Emotional Regulation Therapy (DBT): This therapy teaches you to manage emotional fluctuations. Patients gain skills in recognizing, regulating and expressing their emotional reactions appropriately.
- Family Therapy: Used to understand and support relationships between family members. Family therapy can help strengthen the patient’s social support network.
- Group Therapy: Used to come together with other bipolar patients to share experiences and receive support.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy helps patients improve their relationships and communication skills.[5]
It should not be forgotten that each individual is different and their therapy needs may vary. Therefore, the most appropriate type of psychotherapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder should be determined as a result of individual evaluation. Consulting a specialist is important to choose the right treatment method.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Bipolar Disorder, January 2024.
- Atagün Mİ, Oral T. Acute and Long Term Treatment of Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorder. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2021 Sep 20;58(Suppl 1):S24-S30. doi: 10.29399/npa.27411. PMID: 34658632; PMCID: PMC8498815.
- Joanna Farr, Understanding the experience of mood change and early intervention for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. PhD thesis, Birkbeck, University of London. (2021). BIROn – Birkbeck Institutional Research Online.
- Geddes JR, Miklowitz DJ. Treatment of bipolar disorder. Lancet. 2013 May 11;381(9878):1672-82. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60857-0. PMID: 23663953; PMCID: PMC3876031.
- Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Bipolar Disorder. Indian J Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.196974. PMID: 28216785; PMCID: PMC5310104.