Care Plan for Bipolar Disease

Bipolar disorder treatment is multifaceted. Psychotherapy and medication management are standard components of a care plan for bipolar disease. The care plan reflects the varied and changing needs of someone with bipolar disorder by including community programs and how to handle a crisis.

Medication Management

• The psychiatrist or physician plays an essential role in bipolar disorder treatment. The goal for medication management is to keep the medications at an optimal or therapeutic level to provide the most benefit for the patient.

Psychotherapy

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one type of psychotherapy for bipolar disorder treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy often includes changing negative thought patterns and developing goals focused on changing problematic behavior or encouraging efforts to achieve personal goals.

Community Programs

• Community-based mental health programs and outpatient hospital treatment programs can prevent the need for hospitalization. Part of the care plan for an individual should include the programs that are used to improve mental health and provide other types of services such as housing or financial assistance.

Support System

• People with bipolar disorder need to have people who they can rely on for help managing the disorder. Support people can be friends, relatives, counselors, and others who provide emotional support and may help the person make decisions about their care.

Crisis Intervention

• The person with bipolar disorder and their support system should be prepared in case of a crisis such as thoughts of suicide or self-harm. The support person or bipolar patient should call 911 or the local Crisis Intervention if the person with bipolar disorder has thoughts of suicide or self-harm.