Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder can be treated, but not cured. Most people with bipolar disorder experience manic and depressive episodes throughout their lives. Even if you've been feeling “normal” for a long time, there's no guarantee that your bipolar symptoms won't come back. Although there is no “cure for bipolar disorder,” it is a highly treatable condition, with a success rate of up to 80%.
There are several coping skills for bipolar disorder that can help you achieve a better quality of life by reducing the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Remember that bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, but ongoing, long-term treatment can help control symptoms and allow you to live a healthy life. For example, some people with bipolar disorder who also have psychotic symptoms may be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. Most of the time, bipolar disorder develops or begins in late adolescence (adolescent years) or early adulthood.
Eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and alcohol problems are also more common in people with bipolar disorder, as is metabolic syndrome. We know that genetics can play a role in a person's vulnerability to bipolar disorder, as researchers have tracked the incidence of bipolar disorder among generations of families. In fact, there are findings that show that the availability of social support systems increases the possibilities of employment in patients with bipolar disorder compared to patients without support. Bipolar disorder is a neurological condition that causes changes in mood, energy levels, and ability to function in daily life.
While bipolar disorder can't be prevented, it's important to be aware of early warning signs of an impending episode of bipolar depression or bipolar mania. There isn't much research on alternative or complementary medicine, sometimes called integrative medicine and bipolar disorder. Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, people with bipolar disorder may experience prolonged periods during which they are symptom-free. There is also the opposite side of the argument, the most prevalent medical model, which holds the view that bipolar disorder has a biological basis, is chronic and lasts a lifetime.
A number of medications for bipolar disorder can be associated with birth defects and can pass through the baby's breast milk. ECT may be an option for bipolar treatment if you don't improve with medications, you can't take antidepressants for health reasons, such as pregnancy, or if you have a high risk of suicide. A person with bipolar disorder can discuss all of these options with their doctor to decide what treatments may be best for them. While there may be periods of recovery for some people with bipolar disorder, others may not have them.
