Treatment is complex and often involves more than one medication over time.
Talktherapy, complementary medicine, andlifestyle modificationscan also help, but psychiatric medications are the mainstay of treatment.
A person who hasbipolar disordertends to experienceextreme highs(mania) andextreme lows(depression).
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Certain medications helpstabilize your moodso you don’t experience severe highs and lows.
A psychiatrist will choose which medications are likely to work best for your symptoms.
At times, your medications may need to be adjusted or changed.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
But some, especially clozapine and olanzapine, carry a high risk of metabolic syndrome.
They work by preventing the breakdown of monoamines in the brain, like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Benzodiazepines have differenthalf-lives, meaning some are short-acting, intermediate-acting, or long-acting.
Some are used quite commonly but do not necessarily fit into one of the common categories of psychiatric medication.
Although it requires careful monitoring, it is still commonly and effectively used as a first-line mood stabilizer.
Psychological Therapies
Manysymptoms of bipolar disorderimpact emotional well-being, so psychotherapy can often be helpful.
Complementary Treatments
It’s important to talk to your doctor before trying any alternative treatments.
Herbal supplements, likeSt.
John’s Wort, could interfere with your medication or it may even trigger a manic episode.
Studies have shown it may alleviate mild to moderate depression.
Another complementary treatment for aspects of bipolar disorder isphototherapy, also known as lightbox therapy.
It is often used to treat seasonal depression.
Evidence regarding the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids or acupuncture, on the other hand, is inconsistent.
Before starting any pop in of alternative treatment, talk to your physician or psychiatrist.
Your physician will likely refer you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Bipolar disorder is best managed by a team of professionals.
When those professionals work together to manage your symptoms, you’ll likely be able to experience remission.
With the right treatment plan, many people go for years and even decades symptom-free.
Achieving stability usually requires medication as part of the treatment plan.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Hamer AM & Muench J.Adverse effects of antipsychotic medications.Am Fam Physician.
2010 Mar 1;81(5):617-22.
Ravindran AV, da Silva TL.The role of complementary and alternative therapies for the management of bipolar disorder.
Oxford University Press; 2017. doi:10.1093/med/9780198748625.003.0029
