Treatment Modalities for Bipolar Disorder

Treatment Modalities for Bipolar Disorder

• Individual psychotherapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Cognitive therapy
• The Recovery Model
  • Learning how to live a safe, dignified, full, and self-determined life in the face of the enduring disability which may, at times, be associated with serious mental illness.
  • In bipolar disorder, recovery is a continuous process.
    • Client identifies goals.
    • Client and clinician develop a treatment plan.
    • Client and clinician work on strategies to help the individual manage the bipolar illness.
    • Clinician serves as support person to help the individual achieve the previously identified goals.
  • Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, recovery is possible in the sense of learning to prevent and minimize symptoms, and to successfully cope with the effects of the illness on mood, career, and social life.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (E C T)
  • Episodes of mania may be treated with E C T when
    • Client does not tolerate medication.
    • Client fails to respond to medication.
    • Client’s life is threatened by dangerous behavior or exhaustion
• Pharmacology
  • For mania
    • Lithium carbonate
    • Anticonvulsants
    • Verapamil
    • Antipsychotics
  • For depressive phase
    • Use antidepressants with care (may trigger mania)