Cure To Bipolar Disorder -
Bipolar Meds Plus Psychosocial Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that causes severe feelings of depression for extended periods of time,
sudden mood swings that border on the extreme, and inexplicable changes in one's activity level, all of which
happen for no apparent reason. It's a condition that affects more the 18% of the world's population over 18 years
of age. In the US alone, there are 5.7 million people afflicted with the disorder.
Much like the common cold, there is no "medicinal cure" for bipolar disorder. Bipolar meds can help relieve the
sufferings from a manic episode, but they will by no means prevent the same episode from happening again. There is
no prescriptive drug that will stop the flow of emotions, though their effects can be curtailed.
Anti-depressants are the most popular form of bipolar relief. These come in three types: tricyclics, monoamine
oxidase inhibitors and lithium. But again, however, these bipolar meds will not "cure" the disorder. They will just
alleviate the emotional turmoil that bipolar disorder can cause. They will relieve the snakebite but they will not
kill the snake.
So if bipolar meds cannot "cure" bipolar disorder, what possible treatment can be obtained by a person suffering
from such a condition?
Good question.
Psychologists and psychotherapists are in unison in saying that bipolar meds and psychosocial treatment should
go hand in hand in providing an eventual solution to the problem. Psychosocial treatment involves the development
of self-monitoring skills. Since bipolar disorder is a recurring mental and emotional ailment, professional help
will not be available all the time. Hence, the patient should be thought how to determine that an episode is
happening. Once he or she determines that a manic episode is indeed in effect, he should know how to deal with it
properly. The solution to most problems, after all, starts with realization. Knowing that the problem exists is the
catalyst of most cures.
But self-monitoring skills cannot be taught overnight. Also, self-monitoring skills will not eliminate bipolar
disorder just as easily. It will take time. Often, we're talking about years. So in the meantime, bipolar
medication like the aforementioned anti-depressants can be resorted to. They will cushion the ill effects of the
disorder. Depression can be alleviated, as well as the other symptoms of the condition.
Though there is no straight up medicinal cure for bipolar disorder, the condition can still be cured. It may
take the long road around the problem, but it is a solution nonetheless.
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