Bipolar Disorder – What Is It Actually?

October 5, 2009
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As a therapist or concerned parent, you’ll want to know all you can about social disorders that may be affecting your patients or loved ones. Bipolar disorder has unfortunately become more common on patients of all ages in recent years, but there are several treatment methods that you may want to explore in order to make sure that this condition is properly managed.

Bipolar disorder is also commonly referred to as manic depression, since the condition involves ‘high’ moods in which the patient has endless amounts of energy, as well as periods of depression where the patient may not even feel like getting out of bed. Bipolar disorder affects the individuals ability to perform daily tasks due to the extreme mood swings that are a common part of the condition, so getting the right treatment could help your loved one to be much more productive on the job or in school.

It is important to keep in mind that many people begin to show signs of bipolar disorder as children, and like many other mental disorders, the condition goes ignored and untreated for years. This is why it is so important to pay special attention to any extreme–or subtle–changes that may be taking place in your child’s behavior, so that you can get the treatment you need for your son or daughter as soon as possible. 5.7 million Americans, or almost 3 percent of the adult population also experience bipolar disorder, so sometimes the symptoms will show up after a patient is over the age of 18 as well. This can be triggered by a particularly stressful or traumatic experience in life, but there are effective treatment methods for this as well.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include poor judgment when it comes to making decisions, as well as an unrealistic belief in one’s power or abilities. So, if you notice that your loved one is continuing to make decisions that will hurt them or those around them, or if he or she feels as though they can handle things that are out of their control, it may be time to get help soon. A denial that there is problem at all is another symptom of the disorder that is quite common in children or adults.

Sleeping irregularly could also be a sign that a bipolar disorder is present. In addition to making sure that your child is able to see a counselor, it may also be a good idea to give your little one rice or soy milk before going to sleep, since dairy has been proven to cause depression or manic episodes in some children. Adults may want to take natural supplements such as peppermint leaf extract or digestive enzymes to counteract the symptoms of bipolar disorder as well.

If you want to know more about this condition and how you can get the right assistance for your loved one, visit www.medicinenet.com.

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Bipolar Disorder – Are There Other Treatments Than Drugs?

October 2, 2009
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Medication is a necessity for those who suffer from bipolar disorder but psychotherapy in the form of talk therapy is also advisable as well. Medication can help with the physical symptoms while talk therapy helps with the mental, emotional and social symptoms that patients often suffer with.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy is a very general term that simply means the communication between a patient and a mental health professional such as a psychologist or a social worker. Conversation is the tool that is used as the basis for the treatment plan. The patient is able to discuss his thoughts, feelings and concerns during therapy in a safe environment where privacy is guaranteed.

There are a variety of types of talk therapy. They all facilitate help and healing and can prove beneficial in terms of a person’s family life, interaction with friends, job, and social activities. Talk therapy can also improve an individual’s self-image and take it from negative to positive.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Behavioral therapy is one type of talk therapy that looks closely at a variety of behaviors that can have a positive impact on stress as far as reducing it is concerned. Cognitive therapy is another type of talk therapy that aims to identify and alter the thought patterns that correspond with shifts in mood.

In some cases these two types of therapies are combined into one to make cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).To explain it a little more clearly, CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is based on changing behaviors, beliefs and assumptions a bipolar patient has and then  working to influence the emotions that underlie them. This type of therapy is also commonly used to help those who suffer from anxiety disorders.

Interpersonal Therapy

There is also interpersonal therapy which has to do with relationships and the interconnectedness between people. This form of talk therapy has as its goal the reduction of stress and strain that bipolar disorder can impose on the person who suffers from it. Interpersonal therapy zeros in on the most significant relationships in a patient’s life and then seeks to identify what problems are there. It then follows that up by working to find solutions to manage these problems effectively.

The four main areas that are addressed by interpersonal therapy include disputes over roles, grief that has not been resolved, transitions of roles and lastly, interpersonal deficits.

Social Rhythm Therapy

Social rhythm therapy is another form of therapy that has not been around as long as the aforementioned ones but is becoming better known all of the time as a viable form of talk therapy. This therapy helps an individual to develop daily routines and then from there to maintain these routines.

Talk therapy is not about figuring everything out, nor is it about getting advice per se. Instead, it provides the bipolar individual with the opportunity to sort through his thoughts, feelings and uncertainties and then discuss them with a professional who is there to listen and respond in kind.

Therapy of this kind is a form of counseling that allows the person to learn more about themselves. It provides insights that otherwise would not necessarily come to light. The professional can do what he or she can to help by offering honest and pertinent information, as well as support and feedback.

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Antidepressants – Treating Depression The Chemical Way

September 12, 2009
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If you’re dealing with depression or have had bouts of anxiousness for the past few months, you may want to ask your doctor about antidepressants that will help you to cope with your condition. There are a number of medicines that fall under this category, so you’ll need to learn about which antidepressants will work best for you, as well as how long you’ll have to take them.

It is important to keep in mind that treatment for your condition will only improve as long as you are on the medication. Antidepressants are sometimes used as part of holistic treatment for depression, so you’ll need to continue taking the medication for the intended period of time, even if you’re starting to feel better.

Antidepressants work by slowing down the process by which certain chemicals are removed from the brain. These cerebral chemicals are called neurotransmitters, and they are needed in order for your brain to function normally. So, when you are taking antidepressants, neurotransmitters are more available to the brain, and you are less likely to experience stress or depression.

After you and your doctor decide that you need medication, you’ll need to find out more about the antidepressants that are available to you. The medications are classified based on the part of the brain they treat. For instance, medicines like Prozac are meant to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which directly affects your mood, and is part of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. There are also tricyclics, such as Elavil, which don’t have as many side effects as SSRIs that you may want to look into. You may experience temporary discomforts like dry mouth or blurred vision, but these usually go away with time. You will normally need to be on antidepressants for about six months in order to really see improvements in your mood and overall health. After this period, you should consult with your doctor again to determine if the medication is needed for a longer period of time.

If you want to take antidepressants that are all natural, you may want to try taking St. John’s wort to elevate your mood and lower blood pressure. Supplements like vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 will also help to lower your blood pressure, as well as 5-HTP and SAM-e. These supplements are usually pretty safe for anyone to take, but you’ll need to talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe to mix the antidepressants that you are already taking with natural medicines. You can also visit sites like www.webmd.com or www.medicinenet.com for more information on the medications that may be right for you.

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