What Are the Treatments for Bipolar Disorder When the Patient Is Manic?

Manic bipolar disorder is the least severe of both types of bipolar illness (stage I and stage II). Manic behavior causes a person to act impulsively and boisterously. The disorder can cause a person to consider suicide as well as experience severe mood swings, but there are a number of ways manic bipolar disorder can be treated.

Therapy

• Therapy is one of the most common ways to treat manic bipolar disorder. Although you can be treated in group or family settings, cognitive therapy is the most common approach. Cognitive therapy teaches you how to cope with stress as well as replace negatives with positives.

Antidepressants

• Antidepressants used to be a common way to treat manic bipolar disorder, but in recent years it has been proven to possibly trigger manic episodes.

Mood Stabilizers

• Mood swings are one of the major problems with manic bipolar disorder, so mood stabilizers such as lithium and sodium valproate are often prescribed. However, they must be administered with regular blood testing because high levels of lithium can be harmful to the body.

Antipsychotics

• Antipsychotics are also prescribed to manic bipolar patients. Medications such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol help control moods, but have a number of side effects.

Antiseizure Medications

• Antiseizure medications such as valrproic acid, lamotrigine and divalproex are used to stop mood swings. Some patients suffer trauma-induced seizures, which can also be treated with antiseizure medication.

Electroconclusive Therapy

• Electroconclusive therapy is used for suicidal and extremely mentally ill patients. It sends electric shocks through the body to trigger seizures that are designed to change the chemistry of the brain. Chemical imbalances are a big factor in a person becoming ill with this disorder.