Bipolar disorder - Treatments
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Living with bipolar disorder can be very hard. The mood swings can get in the way of your studies, work and relationships. But getting the right treatment can help you live a life that is not ruled by the ups and downs of your illness.
The treatments you will be offered depend on how bipolar disorder is affecting you. You may need to have different treatments at different times, depending on whether:
- You have symptoms of mania
- You have symptoms of bipolar depression
- You have a normal mood and want to stop your symptoms from coming back (you want to prevent a relapse).
For an overview of the treatments you might need at different times, see What can I expect from treatment?
Key points about treating bipolar disorder
- The main way of treating bipolar disorder is with drugs.
- Having talking treatments as well as drugs can help you cope better with your illness.
- You may need to take different drugs at different times, depending on which symptoms you have.
- You will probably have to keep taking drugs to stop your bipolar symptoms from coming back. That means to prevent a relapse.
- All of the drugs for bipolar disorder have side effects. But you may find one suits you better than another.
- The main reason people with bipolar disorder have relapses is because they stop taking their drugs.
Treatments for bipolar disorder
Which treatments for bipolar disorder work best? Different types of symptoms need different types of treatment. We have carefully weighed up the research and looked at the treatments for mania, bipolar depression and preventing a relapse. You can find out more about the treatments by clicking on the links below.
- Treatments for mania: You might need these when you have mania (when your mood is very high). You will always be treated with drugs. More...
- Treatments for bipolar depression: You might need these when your mood is very low (when you're suffering from bipolar depression). Treatments include drugs and talking treatments like counselling. More...
- Treatments to prevent a relapse: If you are feeling well, you can have treatments to stop your symptoms coming back. Treatments that may help include drugs, talking treatments and learning to spot the signs of a relapse. More...
For help in deciding which treatment is best for you, see .
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
