1. Bipolar Disorder Slideshow Pictures
2. Bipolar Disorder (Mania) Quiz
3. Depression Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Mara Aloi, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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There is no cure for BD but, with proper therapy, people with this disease can lead stable and productive lives. Bipolar disorder will not get better without medical treatment.

Self-care without medical treatment is not recommended. Self-care measures are not effective in relieving symptoms or preventing harmful behavior.

Treatment of bipolar disorder centers on (1) medications to stabilize mood swings and (2) counseling with a therapist. However, therapy is more successful with strong support from family and loved ones.

Medications don't always work the first time and may need to be changed many times until the right medication or combination of medicines is found.

• While this change is happening, people with bipolar disorder need to feel that they can count on their friends and family not to give up on them and to bear with them even though their mood swings are causing grief and pain.
• Periods of stress may throw people with bipolar disorder into one of the extremes of mania or depression, and they need strong support systems to help them deal with the disease.

Those people who are a danger to themselves or others will have their medications started in the hospital and will remain there until they are able to control their emotions enough to function at home.

• Psychiatric hospitalization protects the safety of the person with bipolar disorder and loved ones.
• Medical staff can monitor the effects of medications when a person is in the hospital.
• Medications can be adjusted more quickly in the hospital than over a series of outpatient visits.
• Group therapy or one-on-one sessions with a psychiatrist also start while in the hospital.

Not all episodes are serious enough to require hospitalization. Many people can be treated as outpatients.

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