About one in five US adults experience mental illness each year. That’s about 51.5 million people. Another one in 20 adults will experience serious mental illness.
Only 43.8% of US adults with mental illness receive treatment, though. Without proper treatment, you could develop conditions like a cardiovascular or metabolic disease. Your risk of substance use disorder increases as well.
Do you have bipolar disorder? There are many bipolar treatment options available in the Oregon area.
Choosing the right course of treatment could make a difference in your quality of life.
Medications
About 2.8% of US adults had bipolar disorder in the past year. Another 4.4% of adults experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.
As you explore your bipolar treatment options, a healthcare provider should recommend medication. Mood stabilizers will help control your manic or hypomanic episodes.
These medications can include:
- Lithium
- Divalproex sodium
- Carbamazepine
- Lamotrigine
A doctor might recommend an antipsychotic instead. Antipsychotics relieve manic or depressive symptoms. You can take an antipsychotic alone or with a mood stabilizer.
Examples of antipsychotics include:
- Lurasidone
- Aripiprazole
- Ziprasidone
- Asenapine
- Olanzapine
If you need to manage depression symptoms, a doctor might also suggest antidepressants. Other options include anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. These medications could help you sleep.
Psychotherapy
You might want to talk to your doctor about psychotherapy as well. Psychotherapy is a form of bipolar treatment that helps manage moods and symptoms.
For example, you could try interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT). This form of therapy stabilizes daily rhythms. You’ll learn to establish a routine to manage your moods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is popular for mental health care too. With CBT, you’ll identify your unhealthy behaviors and beliefs.
Then, you’ll replace these behaviors with positive ones.
You can use CBT to identify triggers and manage your reactions in upsetting situations.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches patients mindfulness techniques. You’ll learn to manage thoughts and emotions from an observer’s point of view.
There’s also family-focused therapy. Finding support from loved ones could help you manage your triggers and symptoms. The Oregon, IL counseling center you visit can help you decide which sessions are best for you.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves passing electrical currents through the brain. Doctors hope the patient’s brain chemistry will change, reversing their mental illness.
ECT fell out of favor in the 1960s.
Instead, you might consider transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or light therapy.
TMS uses an electromagnetic coil to stimulate nerve cells in the brain’s mood centers. Light therapy is ideal for patients who have bipolar and seasonal affective disorder.
Oregon IL Bipolar Treatment Options: Three Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
Which of these bipolar treatment options is right for you? Consider scheduling a consultation at your local counseling center. An expert can help you review your options, allowing you to take the first steps toward change.
Eager to get started? We’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule your evaluation at our Oregon office.