Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that affects mood, energy and behaviour. Treatment can help stabilise symptoms and improve a person's quality of life.

People with this condition may cycle between periods of euphoria ('manic episodes') and depression. In severe cases, they can also have delusions and hallucinations.

Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health illness that affects how you feel, think and act. Symptoms can be severe and disrupt your daily life, so it’s important to seek treatment.

Psychiatric medication can help you manage your symptoms and prevent episodes. You may also need psychological therapy to learn how to regulate your mood and cope with stressful situations.

Lifestyle management can also help reduce your symptoms. This involves keeping to a routine and maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and taking regular exercise.

Your doctor will discuss your individual needs with you to develop a treatment plan that works for you. This can include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.

The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder requires a careful combination of therapies and medications. It also helps to have a supportive environment, strong relationships, and a commitment to your health and recovery.

Diagnosis

Getting the right diagnosis can make a huge difference to your quality of life. A good GP or care co-ordinator can put you in touch with local services, help you find the best medical and mental health practitioners and give you advice on how to improve your wellbeing.

The best way to get a proper diagnosis is to talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and concerns. They may need to complete a physical exam and a few behavioural tests to arrive at the truth. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend a course of therapy, preferably one involving the use of medicines designed to treat bipolar disorder. Some may also prescribe a lifestyle modification if you have a high risk of suicide or are experiencing severe depressive episodes.

Treatment

Treatments for bipolar disorder are long-term, and usually involve a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. The main goal of bipolar treatment is to manage mood episodes and prevent relapse.

Acute management aims to stabilise an episode of mania or depression with medications such as antipsychotic medicines and mood stabilizers (like lithium and valproate). Maintenance treatment focuses on long-term prevention and recovery from relapse, optimised social function and improved quality of life.

Talk therapy: This includes group or individual psychotherapy to help you understand your emotions, thoughts and behaviors better. It can also help you unlearn negative habits and develop healthier ones.

Family-focused therapy: This involves you and your loved ones working with a mental health professional to build relationships, improve communication skills and resolve issues. Research shows that people whose families are involved in education about bipolar disorder experience less severe symptoms and longer periods of stability than patients who do not have this type of treatment.

Prevention

While there’s no way to prevent the onset of bipolar disorder, you can reduce your risk of an episode if you take action early enough. This could include talking to your GP, attending mental health services for support, and taking a look at your own life and how you cope with stressful situations.

It’s important to keep your doctor informed of your symptoms so they can make appropriate recommendations and provide you with the best possible treatment. Medications like lithium and mood stabilisers are key to managing your bipolar condition. If you’re taking one of these medications, remember to follow the instructions and take your dose as prescribed.

A comprehensive treatment plan should also include a healthy lifestyle. This includes avoiding smoking, alcohol and other drugs that can interfere with the medication your doctor has prescribed for you. Other suggestions include meditation, exercise, and other activities that may improve your quality of life. You can learn about the most effective ways to achieve these goals through your GP and local mental health services.