is there any permanent cure for bipolar disorder?
Question:
Answers:
Bipolar disorder is partly an emotional disorder and partly a physical disorder. And one tricky part of the bipolar problem is brain chemistry. Simply put, the brain reabsorbs serotonin too quickly for maximum mental efficiency. This reduced efficiency results in a subtle change in how one thinks. There is not enough serotonin to transmit all the nerve impulses, and one will think differently. That is, one will be depressed or manic.
Unfortunately, modern science has not figured out how to help the body and the brain maintain optimal serotonin levels. So there is no physical cure.
For the emotional end of the bipolar problem, therapy has had mixed results. It does help some people a great deal, and some very little. So unless one is very very fortunate, therapy does not offer more than a chance.
Sorry, bipolar disorder is not curable on either of its two fronts. But I consider that we are lucky to have the medications to at least allow us to cope with life in a more normal fashion.
Other Answers:
It is with you for life. You can maintain it with medication, therapy, and trial and error. It may take a while to find a medication that works for you.
No. It's just who we are.
I wish there were. Its something I have to deal with on a daily basis. The only thing I can suggest is if you are on meds for it, stay on them and don't stop taking them because you feel better.
i also suffer from it- but i use Taurine, and Lithium Orotate, and lots of prayer to get me through....i seem to find rest and prayer do most of the work....God bless
No my sister has it and it stays with you and she takes medicine to help her.
Perhaps.. will depend on the ability to do a rewire job in the brain.
No but ur not alone anymore! Your one of us now...
no
One thing that has helped me with my depression is NAET. It's a technique which eliminates allergies. Dr. Nambudripad defines allergies as more than those things which cause sneezing or swelling or itching. They are, instead, overreactions of the body's immune system to different substances. She developed a technique - stumbled across it, actually - which will eliminate these overreactions. It's a combination of Eastern and Western medicine and doesn't require any needles or pills or shots.
By treating my allergy to substances like manganese and serotonin, I have seen a marked decrease in my depressive symptoms. I'm still getting rid of allergies, so I am confident that it will help more.
Going to the website will help to find a practitioner in your area. My health is 360 times better than when I started.
Sorry, no permanent cure as such, but with ongoing treatment, you may be able to function next to normal. However here is some treatment advice you may want to follow-apart from what your doctor might have alreadyt old you:
Most people with bipolar disorder—even those with the most severe forms—can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and related symptoms with proper treatment. Because bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, long-term preventive treatment is strongly recommended and almost always indicated. A strategy that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is optimal for managing the disorder over time. In most cases, bipolar disorder is much better controlled if treatment is continuous than if it is on and off. But even when there are no breaks in treatment, mood changes can occur and should be reported immediately to your doctor. The doctor may be able to prevent a full-blown episode by making adjustments to the treatment plan. Working closely with the doctor and communicating openly about treatment concerns and options can make a difference in treatment effectiveness.
In addition, keeping a chart of daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events may help people with bipolar disorder and their families to better understand the illness. This chart also can help the doctor track and treat the illness most effectively
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you to:
talk about the problems your manic or depressive episodes are causing you,
come up with solutions to those problems,
discuss triggers for your bipolar episodes of mania or depression,
figure out ways to manage or avoid those triggers,
improve your relationships, and
standardize your daily routine.
Two types of psychotherapy are especially helpful for bipolar disorder:
Interpersonal therapy – Helps you to change the way you relate to people.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy – You examine how your thoughts affect your emotions, plus you learn to change your reactions to situations
Medications for bipolar disorder are prescribed by psychiatrists—medical doctors (M.D.s) with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. While primary care physicians who do not specialize in psychiatry also may prescribe these medications, it is recommended that people with bipolar disorder see a psychiatrist for treatment.
Medications known as "mood stabilizers" usually are prescribed to help control bipolar disorder. Several different types of mood stabilizers are available. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for extended periods of time (years). Other medications are added when necessary, typically for shorter periods, to treat episodes of mania or depression that break through despite the mood stabilizer
How can I plan and evaluate my treatment for bipolar disorder?
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides a comprehensive personal guide to finding and evaluating a mental health practitioner for bipolar disorder in workbook format, which you can print. You can use this workbook to guide yourself through the process of evaluating your situation and finding the help that is best suited for you. The DBSA also offers External Referral Services that link to sources of referrals for psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in your community.
What are some self-help tips for coping with bipolar disorder?
If you have bipolar disorder, here are some self-help tips for coping with the illness:
Educate yourself about the disorder.
Learn to recognize your triggers and do something to avert the episodes. Ask others to help you recognize your early indicators, the behaviors that signal a relapse.
Work with your treatment provider to decide on the best management of the disorder. This treatment program will change over time, so keep in close contact with your provider.
Plan what to do in a crisis.
Eat a healthy diet; avoid the use of alcohol or illicit drugs; and beware of interactions between your drugs and any foods you eat, nutritional supplements, herbs, other prescription drugs, or over-the-counter drugs.
Get adequate sleep.
Attend a support group.
Develop your personal support system (your friends and family).
Get regular exercise.
Keep to a regular schedule, for structure. Include time spent alone. Give yourself a break: if you are not feeling right, cancel plans.
Volunteer and engage in hobbies. Alternate active pursuits with quiet time alone.
Set your own limits and inform others of them.
Be patient about developing your customized treatment program
Family members of those with bipolar disorder serve as vital support during treatment. Here are some tips for family members:
Encourage the person with bipolar disorder to maintain a strong support system of family members and friends and to use it whenever he or she needs help.
Be a loving, caring family member or friend yourself. See Helpguide's Love Relationship Advice and Help: Quiz and Introduction to Free eBook about building strong, trusting intimate love relationships.
Help the individual to find ways to distract or engage him- or herself when the red flags of depression go up. For example, go play a sport, work out, go to a movie, or visit a friend.
Try to convince the individual to stay on medication if it is relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. It may be helpful to point out symptoms of bipolar episodes as they begin to emerge.
If the person with bipolar disorder talks about suicide, take it seriously and seek help from a suicide hotline.
What are some telephone and online resources for you or a loved one who has bipolar disorder?
NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)
1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (information helpline)
State and local NAMI organizations offer support, education, information, referral, and advocacy. Select your State to find local resources for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.
DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
1-800-826-3632 (information line; may take five days for a reply to voicemail)
DBSA Chat – unmoderated chat room for people with bipolar disorder
NO AWARE OF A PERMANENT CURE
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