Treatment of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by drastic mood changes, that is to say, a person can undergo mania periods in alternation with depression periods whose duration may vary from only a few hours or a couple of days up to much longer cycles lasting several weeks or even months. Since these cycles vary from one person to another, recommended treatment for bipolar disorder varies too. 

There are different effective treatment methods, generally combining the intake of atypical antipsychotic medication or mood stabilizers with psychotherapy in its different variants. Due to its being a chronic, weakening condition, patients require continuous treatment and constant monitoring by specialists.

At Future Function Rehabilitation and Detox Center we are two in-alliance organizations, highly qualified, professional and ethical in treating different personality disorders as the bipolar disorder. At Fundación Clínica Función Futuro, a private health institution, we offer services backed up by a scientific approach and the latest treatment methods; at our other organization, Fundación Función Futuro, a spirituality-oriented institution, we provide you with different support techniques focusing on spirituality so as to achieve integral treatment.

General categories of treatment for bipolar disorder

Treatment for this disorder is divided into three (3) general categories, in accordance with the specialists’ assessment:

• Severe treatment. It focuses on suppressing the patients’ symptoms until there is a remission, that is to say, until symptoms diminish for a period of time.
• Continuation treatment. It consists of preventing the return of the symptoms of the manic/depressive episode.
• Maintenance treatment. It prevents recurrence or reappearance of symptoms.

For each treatment category a series of medications combined with psychosocial treatment (different types of therapy) are utilized, along with self-help strategies.

Pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder

There are a number of medicines used in treating bipolar disorder and not all of them have the same effect in each person, so finding the adequate medication or the right combination of medications may take time. Physicians will establish which one is better depending on factors such as:

• Types of episodes experienced.
• Severity of the episode.
• Existence of another psychiatric disorder.
• Tolerance to medical drugs/medication.
• General health condition.
• Pregnancy in the case of women.
• Possible secondary/side effects.

It is likely that doctors start out administering mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics in combination with other medications. Throughout the initial months of treatment, several medications will be tested until determining which of them produces the desired results.

It is essential that patients do not stop taking their medications abruptly, as doing so may bring about secondary effects and produce other manic/depressive cases. Should women with bipolar disorder who are under treatment plan to become pregnant, they must previously consult with their specialist doctor to know what actions they must take, and whether it is necessary to change the medication and/or the doses and for how long.

Coexisting psychological conditions

A significant percentage of the individuals suffering from bipolar disorder have at least another simultaneous psychiatric disorder in need of treatment; the most frequent of these coexisting disorders are anxiety disorder, personality disorder and impulse control disorder. While sometimes medications used in bipolar disorder treatment will work well for treating coexisting conditions, there are some others for which it is indispensable to find a special combination to help treat both conditions effectively.

In general, the key to treating multiple disorders is to start off with the most troublesome symptoms, like mania, psychosis or suicidal ideas, or treat them all together. It will all rely on the combined condition type, the symptoms and the medical assessment.

Psychosocial treatment

There are many types of psychosocial treatments that can help bipolar disorder patients. The four most widely accepted and showing the best results are: psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-centered therapy and social-interpersonal rhythm therapy. At any rate, there are other treatment types your medical doctors may suggest you follow, depending on the intensity of the disorder.

Psychoeducation

Research studies have demonstrated psychoeducation has had very good results with people suffering from bipolarity, and it is recommended as a first-line maintenance treatment. This process is done either individually or in groups in order to teach patients to identify and manage depressive and manic episodes, reduce stress and develop healthy habits. Therapists will guide them in the creation of personalized coping strategies so as to avoid relapses.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

This one is recommended as a second-line therapy for acute bipolar disorder and as maintenance treatment for people undergoing a milder form of the disorder. This therapy consists of individual sessions during which patients learn about the disease and develop skills and tools to handle their episodes in an effective manner. It also contributes for patients to see the best in themselves and act in consequence when they lack motivation, interest and energy.

Family-centered therapy

This form of therapy is recommended as a second-line treatment for acute depression; it focuses on improving communication between patients and their partners and/or relatives, with the therapist helping those involved in the patient’s process to understand how bipolar disorder works and the ways in which it manifests, so they can take action in case a new episode occurs.

Interpersonal-social rhythm therapy

This is one of the third-line methods of bipolar disorder treatment for acute depression; its objective is to help manage conflict and stress during daily routines and thus get patients to perform the same activities as everybody else, free from disorder-related constraints.

Self-help strategies

Aside from pharmacological and psychosocial types of treatment, there are different strategies people suffering this ailment can follow to contribute in controlling symptoms and daily life challenges. These strategies include:

• Participating actively in the treatment.
• Controlling one’s mood, sleep, stress factors, the cognitive function and quality of life as a whole.
• Facilitating medication intake by using a pillbox and reminders.
• Establishing a daily routine.
• Having a security plan.
• Joining a support group, whether personally or on-line.
• Identifying healthy ways to control stress.

Start your treatment of bipolar disorder at Future Function Rehabilitation and Detox Center

At Future Function Rehabilitation and Detox Center we have over 20 years of experience to offer personalized, comprehensive service with a fully committed team, the most highly specialized in the country. With us you will find a real solution to your problems, with an all-inclusive, cutting-edge service provided to you by a solid multidisciplinary team at our top-level facilities in Colombia.

We have the widest range of processes and treatment procedures for personality management, based on the most effective schools of medicine, psychology and spirituality, which adjust well to our patients’ needs. Our programs provide health in thinking, emotion, affection and behavior, with VIP modalities for people who work, outpatient treatment, in-admittance and external consultation.

For further Information on our services and for starting treatment of bipolar disorder, contact our staff by calling (571) 774 6022 and (571) 704 2007, or e-mail us at funcionfuturo@hotmail.com or message our WhatsApp 316 536 2141 to schedule an appointment; visit our facilities. Address: Cra. 13 ##102 – 28, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.