Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Jenifer Lewis. Bobby Brown. Charlie Pride. Maia Campbell. Lauryn Hill. DMX. These African Americans have either been diagnosed or are highly suspected to have bipolar disorder. Search any of these names online and you will see articles detailing some aspect of their journey with mental illness and potentially bipolar disorder. Many of these celebrities have gotten help. Others are still battling. The good thing for these celebrities is that most have resources to get proper treatment.

“Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified. Individuals with bipolar disorder can quickly swing from extremes of happiness, energy and clarity to sadness, fatigue and confusion. These shifts can be so devastating that individuals may choose suicide (APA, 2010)”.

The inclusion of African American celebrities in this article is to emphasize how even people who seem to have everything cope with and manage mental health conditions. Non-celebrity, everyday African Americans need treatment for bipolar disorder too. In the past, African Americans have been hesitant to trust medical professionals because of experiments like the Tuskegee syphilis federally funded study where nearly four hundred black men with syphilis went untreated. In addition, African Americans who sought help for mental illnesses had a “higher incidence of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and/or being hospitalized (Lawson, 2008)”.

Effective bipolar treatment is made up of three elements that a client must take part in simultaneously

Medication (25 percent of solution) The following drugs typically are prescribed: Abilify, Lamictal, Trileptal, Lithium, Depakote and Seroquel.
Individual counseling and treatment groups (50 percent of solution)This part of the solution helps with working through failed relationships, reconnecting with one’s self and accepting various outcomes.
Client’s decision to make better choices (25 percent of solution) At the core of improved living is the decision to be the best you can be. Individuals who suffer from bi-polar must dedicate themselves to self-improvement concepts such as being dependable, exercising personal resolve, accepting change, etc. Successful responses require the ability to negotiate circumstances. Life coping skills such as integrity of character, patience, kindness and good decision making can help head off emotional episodes.

Depending on the life span and intensity of symptoms, it can be difficult for children and adult to experience a normal life. Yet, thousands of individuals have figured out the key to successful and normal living. The following strategies help to experience normal daily living.

Acceptance of Disorder:The temptation to enter denial is ever present. The acceptance of the disorder and the associated symptoms is an important step. By accepting the obvious, individuals can move towards better outcomes and results.
Self Monitoring:The early self identification of triggers and forthcoming meltdowns cannot be under-estimated. By identifying patterns and themes associated with various symptoms, individual can better brace themselves and make alternative plans.
Rest & Exercise:Pent up frustrations, on-going depression and emotional let downs can be countered by getting proper rest. In addition, exercise is an excellent way to resolve daily experiences that encourage sulking, selfishness and anger.
Proper Diet:There are certain foods that encourage negative emotional cycles and counter-productive experiences. The simple act of removing items from the menu can improve outcomes quickly.

Most insurance companies pay for treatment. For those with no health insurance, Community Mental Health is a place to start. Every state in the United States of America has this organization. One who is searching for help for bipolar disorder need only travel to a place (like the library) that has internet access. Go to a search website like Google, yahoo or bing and search for “community mental health Chicago (use the name of your city)”. Address and telephone information will appear in the search engine results pages.

There is also an organization called Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. It is a patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The website has support materials and a bipolar disorder peer support group locator.

Finally, to increase the likelihood of appropriate treatment for African Americans, people and organizations that African Americans respect will have to weigh in on the conversations. Celebrities who have come forward to discuss bipolar disorder help other African Americans to speak up and ask for treatment. Yet more help is needed. Churches, pastors, barbers, sororities, lodges, etc must also help reach out to African American community members with mental health concerns and help them find proper education and solutions.