For individuals with bipolar depression, finding the right treatment can be a challenging task. By definition, bipolar disorder includes at least one episode of mania, although each individual will experience their own pattern of depression and mania. Some individuals may experience more depression with more infrequent periods of hypomania.
In treating the illness, doctors and individuals often run across several common difficulties in managing periods of depression and mania. If you or someone you love has bipolar, it’s important to understand the difficulties and their impact on overall treatment and health. Although an individual may not experience all or even any of these difficulties, the average individual with bipolar will encounter at least one.
Inaccurate Diagnosis
Particularly for individuals who experience more severe depression with periods of hypomania, professionals and family members may focus on the depression rather than seeing the larger picture. Often, after long periods of depression, family members and friends may feel relief at the more euphoric, happy periods of hypomania and if more destructive patterns aren’t present, not see these periods as part of the disease. Inaccurate diagnosis can lead to problems in finding the correct medications to balance the illness and a lack of understanding about destructive or reckless behaviors during hypomanic periods.
Finding the Right Medication Combo
Treating bipolar disorder often entails a cocktail of medications and psychological treatment. Many individuals will experience difficulties in finding the right medication combo to help control their bipolar symptoms. Medical professionals may start out individuals on lower doses and work up to therapeutic levels or try various combinations of medications to find the right mix for the particular individual’s brain chemistry. Bad combinations, even those that work for other people, can lead to mania or severe depression so it’s important to keep a close eye on how new medications are affecting the individual. In addition, previously helpful combinations may begin to fail so individuals and their families need to be vigilant about noticing patterned behaviors and moods.
Medication Side Effects
As with many other medications, those used in the treatment of bipolar often have side effects, including weight gain, organ damage, overdose potentials, and so on. Individuals and their families should communicate with their medical professionals about the potential side effects that can occur and any that do appear. In some cases, the side effects can prevent certain medications from being used.
Sticking with Treatments
A common problem for those with bipolar depression and disorder is not sticking with treatments. Some individuals miss the manic or hypomanic periods that medications level out. It’s often common for individuals experiencing mania or hypomania to feel that they don’t need medications or that they’ve been cured of the illness. Other individuals may stop during depression, feeling that the situation is hopeless.
Treating bipolar depression can be tricky and finding a good psychiatrist is of the utmost importance. A qualified individual will have experience in dealing with bipolar disorder and know about the various treatment difficulties. With treatment, many individuals experience relief from the symptoms of bipolar disorder.