How to Treat Bipolar Psychosis

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness categorized by unusual mood patterns, shifts in energy and thought processes. It's also referred to as manic-depressive illness. Not everyone that suffers with bipolar disorder will suffer from bipolar psychosis. When someone is suffering from bipolar psychosis, they may hallucinate, hear voices, and suffer from extreme paranoia. Per Julie Fast, a mental health expert, bipolar psychosis is a break with reality that leads to the patient being resistant to treatment if it's not treated right away. Treatment of bipolar psychosis generally includes the correct medication cocktail along with therapy.

Things You'll Need

• Mood Stabilizer
• Anti-psychotic medication
• Psychiatrist

Show More

Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Seek medical attention immediately. When you are suffering from bipolar psychosis, you are having a break with reality. That can be extremely dangerous for you and for those around you. If you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar psychosis, contact your doctor to get in right away or go to the emergency room at a hospital.

• 2

  Take a mood stabilizer. They are standard treatment for bipolar disorder, particularly when treating bipolar psychosis. If you are already taking a mood stabilizer, work with your doctor to amend the dosage or perhaps consider switching medications. This needs to be done with your doctor's permission and approval. The mood stabilizer that is used most often is Lithium. It works to manage both mania and depression. It is effective when treating psychosis during the episode and also as prevention of future psychotic episodes.

• 3

  Supplement the mood stabilizer with an anti-psychotic medication. Generally, mood stabilizers can't manage bipolar psychosis alone. The combination of a mood stabilizer and an anti-psychotic is often extremely effective at treating bipolar psychosis. The downside is that both types of medication have the potential to cause severe side effects including weight gain and lethargy. Anti-psychotics often prescribed are Seroquel, Risperdal, Geodon and Abilify.

• 4

  If symptoms are acute, consider inpatient treatment at a psychiatric facility. The idea may be scary, as people have preconceived notions about psychiatric facilities. However, inpatient treatment provides the opportunity for daily treatment, reduces the stress of daily life, and allows the patient to singularly focus on treating the bipolar psychosis.

• 5

  Start or begin regular therapy with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will be the person making the diagnosis as well as prescribing medication. Therapy is also an integral part of treatment of bipolar psychosis. Meet with your psychiatrist regularly. Be honest about your symptoms, side effects and feelings.