| Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that imposes a | | | | therapy (ECT). This treatment works by changing |
| great deal of danger to its sufferers. The exact | | | | the biochemical compositions of the brain through |
| cause or reasons why it happens are still unknown to | | | | waves of electric current. It is often used as a last |
| experts, but treatments come in a wide variety: | | | | mode of treatment for patients who do not respond |
| psychotherapy, medication, alternative treatments, | | | | to medications and psychotherapy. |
| electroconvulsive therapy, and light therapy. | | | | This case also applies to antidepressants. There are |
| Each has its own effects (good or bad) and the | | | | several antidepressants but each will only work for a |
| effect would vary from patient to patient. | | | | particular bipolar disorder case. For example, in one |
| Clearly, then, there isn't one single treatment that can | | | | particular medication such as the selective serotonin |
| be recommended to everybody. This is because one | | | | reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), there are several |
| particular treatment may be effective for one person | | | | antidepressants that target the serotonin while |
| but not for another. And it is wrong therefore to say | | | | others target the serotonin and other |
| that the same treatment that took effect on one | | | | neurotransmitters. Prozac, Celexa, and Paxil are some |
| person will also be effective to everyone. | | | | SSRIs that act mainly on the serotonin. Newer |
| The reason for this is that "bipolar disorder" is a | | | | antidepressants such as (Effexor) venlafaxine and |
| collective term to describe a mental condition with | | | | Serzone (nefazodone) act on the serotonin and |
| distinct characteristics. And the effects and | | | | norepinephrine. |
| symptoms of this mental condition vary from person | | | | The SSRIs are a form of antidepressant medication |
| to person; as does the patient's response to a | | | | that cannot be applied to patients who need MAO |
| particular treatment. | | | | treatment. MAO is an enzyme that breaks down |
| Bipolar disorder is associated with chemical imbalance | | | | certain brain chemicals. Instead of SSRIs, the |
| in the brain; and since there are several chemicals | | | | monoamine oxidase inhibitors are applied. Same thing |
| called neurotransmitters inside the brain, each person | | | | goes if the patient needs an antidepressant that |
| suffering from bipolar has a particular | | | | reduces the excessive activity of the brain. Here, the |
| neurotransmitter or neurotransmitters that need to | | | | Lithium is what the patient needs. |
| be normalized. | | | | Knowing the right treatment for bipolar disorder is |
| One treatment can cure a particular | | | | not the same as knowing the right treatment for a |
| neurotransmitter(s) but not all treatments work the | | | | certain physical illness. Bipolar disorder is a very |
| same. | | | | delicate mental illness that needs to be treated |
| The most common mode of treatment is | | | | immediately and accurately once diagnosed. It is not |
| psychotherapy or "talk" therapy. This treatment is | | | | something that would go away after a matter of |
| given to those with mild to moderate bipolar disorder. | | | | time. Dealing with bipolar disorder is both stressful and |
| Often, psychotherapy is combined with | | | | difficult to the patient as well as the family members, |
| antidepressant medications depending on the | | | | making sure that it is treated correctly must be the |
| particular patient. This method is widely used, widely | | | | top priority. And to be able to do this, the patient |
| accepted, and has been proven effective. | | | | must consult a psychiatrist or a qualified doctor with |
| However, there are treatments that only work for a | | | | expertise on bipolar disorder cases the very moment |
| particular patient. Just like the Electroconvulsive | | | | he or she has been given its signs. |