Bipolar is a lifelong disorder. At this time, there is no known medication that can cure or eliminate it. Medication only manages and controls the symptoms. Bipolar disorder must be constantly attended to just as the person with diabetes must do the things necessary to keep it under control.
Along with carefully managed medication, it is essential that a healthy lifestyle be maintained. When both of these are achieved, mood can be stabilized and a normal, stable, high functioning life is possible.
? Life charting – Construction of a graphic representation of major symptoms, major life events and treatment over the person’s lifetime. This aids in establishing the course of the disorder and the life events that contributed to mood swings.
? Mood graph – This helps to optimize medication management. A daily chart monitoring sleep, symptoms, side effects, mood changes, medications, etc. provides a valuable tool for maintaining a good treatment plan.
? Good health habits – Developing and maintaining regular patterns of daily activities helps reduce stressors that cause mood swings. It is especially important to develop regular patterns of sleep. Sleep deprivation triggers mania. However, too much sleep causes decreased mental energy and motivation.
? Involvement of a significant other – Spouses/friends can play an important role in detecting a mood swing when the impaired person may not know they have a problem (especially when manic). They can also provide encouragement for taking medication even when the bipolar person is feeling well and doesn’t think they need medication.
