Bipolar Disorder - The First Steps to Treatment

Bipolar Disorder - The First Steps to Treatment

Bipolar disorder, you have just been diagnosed. What do you need to know about it? The short answer is that your best bet is to learn as much about it as you can. You should know everything about depressive disorder. You would also need to know what a manic episode entails. In fact, knowledge of a hypomanic episode would be extremely useful. There are very good reasons why this knowledge is essential. If you want to manage bipolar disorder, this level of knowledge is a key to achieving that goal.

Gaining knowledge about bipolar disorder can help you learn to manage the disorder. By treating your disorder, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of regaining control of your life. This disorder usually runs in cycles. By this I mean that each person has a regular pattern that they follow for each of their cycles. Take, for example, a person with bipolar type 1. A common pattern of this is a hypomanic episode - a manic episode - a depressive episode. This is often followed by a period of stability.

A hypomanic episode can be treated much more easily than an episode of mania. Against this background, there is often a risk of hypomania. The danger is simply this. Many people find that the pluses of a hypomanic episode outweigh the minuses. The result is that they do not acknowledge that a hypomanic is being experienced. Another possibility is that they do not seek treatment for the hypomania. The unfortunate result is that a manic episode occurs. These are far more difficult to treat than hypomanic episodes.

The good old saying “what goes up must come down” certainly applies to an episode of mania. This is often followed by a depressive disorder. Bipolar type 2 and cyclothymic disorder usually do not result in mania. However, it is very likely that depressive disorder follows hypomania. In a person with bipolar type 2, depression can last for a very long time. This could be months or even longer.

In my experience, recovery from depression often only occurs when the affected person tries to make it happen. By this I mean that they must recover and make strong personal efforts to ensure this. Remember that not all people go from mania to depression. Learning about the disorder allows the affected person (or their friends and lovers) to recognize any bipolar episode at the earliest possible moment. For some people, their cycle begins with a depressive disorder.

No matter what order your cycle runs, seeking professional help is a must. This should be done the first moment you suspect a bipolar episode is occurring. This gives the best possible chance of treating the disorder. In return, there is the best chance of regaining control of the affected person's life.

Inspired by Ray J Tyler