Diagnosing the disorder earlier in life combined with comprehensive bipolar disorder treatments can really make a difference to help an individual in dealing with this disease and managing it. The best way to treat this disorder is to have a combination of both counseling and medication, which will go a long way in alleviating the effects of this disease. The counseling will help an individual come to terms with this condition and how to deal with it, because professional counseling has been known to cure even severe depression.

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Certain drugs used for bipolar disorder treatments help to stabilize a person’s moods to normal levels. Some of the challenges faced by patients include mood swings, multiple medication and cost which is a major issue for families that are not conversant with bipolar facts or various treatment strategies that are still in the research phase can be a quiet costly affair. Many individuals prefer drug medication to treat their disorder like stabilizing drugs that are prescribed for bipolar disease. Regular episodes of depression and mania require the patient taking these drugs for relief. Valproate and Lithium are some of the mood stabilizer drugs. Lithium is considered the best drug for treating pure mania and also useful for patients suffering from other bipolar related disorders. Anti-psychotics also contain stabilizing properties that can treat this disease.

Some of the non-medication treatment alternatives available for this disease include sleep management and psychotherapy that play a big role in treating this disorder. These treatments help reduce symptoms and drastically prevent relapse occurring in the future. The most important thing is to get tested and get to understand the many options available to you or your loved one. Seek professional advice from mental and psychiatric experts on the best treatment. Many non-governmental organizations and support groups readily offer free assistance to people suffering from this disease on where and how to access treatment. The STEP-BD is one of the largest programs dedicated to the study of bipolar disorder treatments.

Bipolar disorder is divided into several types and each has different patterns of symptoms. These include: bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, rapid cycling, and mixed bipolar. Bipolar I disorder is the more severe disorder. People with type I experience longer ‘highs’ and have psychotic experiences while those who are suffering from bipolar II disorder have less severe symptoms. They experience episodes that only last hours or few days and the severity of the ‘highs’ does not lead to hospitalization. Cyclothymia is a mild form of the disorder. Those who have cyclothymia tend to have more mild symptoms than with full-blown bipolar disorder. About 10% of people with bipolar illness have rapid cycling. In rapid cycling, four or more episodes of depression in a year occur. In most forms of bipolar conditions, moods vary between elevated and depressed but with mixed bipolar disorder, a person experiences both mania and depression simultaneously.

Each type of bipolar disorder may affect different people differently. The symptoms vary in pattern and severity. The disorder was commonly referred to as a part of depression but experts recommend that there are significant differences between depression and bipolar symptoms. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can spoil job and school performance, ruin your relationships with loved ones and disrupt daily life. Although bipolar is treatable, many people do not recognize the symptoms and should know that it tends to worsen without treatment. Thus it is essential to know the symptoms and to have the proper treatment. The first step to lessen bipolar problems is to learn more about the disorder and recognize those are experiencing it. Some doctors recommended that medication can prevent episodes but more varied treatment can be better than medication. Medication alone is not enough to fully control the illness. Bipolar requires long-term treatment because it is a chronic illness.

Study shows that if you are free from stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance, you are less likely to suffer. Most of all, surround yourself with friends that you can turn to, who will help and encourage you. A psychiatrist can also help find a way between the twists and turns that you feel. Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common among people with bipolar disorder. To get rid of these thoughts, first contact a family member or your loved ones and seek help from your doctors. The most effective treatment strategy for bipolar treatment involves a combination of medication, therapy and a lifestyle change. The goal of treatment is to recover from the longer disruptions of life.

Dealing with bipolar disorder isn’t easy but to have a successful treatment, you have to make smart choices. If you ignore the illness, it will certainly get worse. Living with untreated bipolar disorder can lead to troubles in relations and career. Anti-depressants do not help people with the disorder in the long term. In fact, they may even trigger rapid cycling between moods. If you feel helpless and hopeless you should remember that you are not alone.

“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.