bipolar management plan
Australian researchers have discovered a new procedure that has allowed bipolar patients control their mood swings. In studies so far have achieved reduce the number of manic episodes that their patients suffer half.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings from periods of excitability of periods of depression and back. Bipolar disorder 1 affects more than two million U.S. citizens each year. In many people, the mood swings can be so large that it prevents them from being able to live a normal life. This roller coaster of emotions not only affect them, but it affects their friends and family too.
The new procedure basically consists of adding therapy to the treatment of bipolar patients normally receive. In reality, therapy is not new since many physicians believe that the most effective treatment for bipolar illness is the use of drugs in combination with prescription drugs. But belief are not equal proof.
Researchers at the Institute of Mental Health Research Victoria (MHRI), located in Melbourne, Australia, and is Australia's largest independent psychiatric research center, has put on record that believe that this study is the first to demonstrate bipolar patients can control their mania. The interesting impact Australian study is that it gives credibility the value of psychotherapy in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
The Melbourne study consisted of 84 patients with impaired bipolar. Half the patients received medication only. The other half are given the same medication also attended weekly therapy sessions. Therapy sessions focused on teaching participants to recognize the common symptoms that can trigger depression or a manic episode. Symptoms such as
insomnia, a significant change in appetite, difficulty concentrating, apathy or fatigue, and other symptoms that are commonly recognized as indicating a bipolar case can be taking place.
The working theory behind the study is that if a bipolar patient is aware of an impending episode, has the opportunity to do something about it. And the theory in this case, proved correct. At the end of the study, 42 patients treated with therapy, only 50% of episodes of manic or depressive 42 patients who were treated with medication alone.
The study shows that effective treatment which emphasizes and teaches the patient how to plan your life, much as possible about everyday activities and stable relationships, can help to have fewer manic / depressive and attacks recover more quickly from the that make the experience.
Unfortunately, long-term therapy is not cheap and many insurance companies do not cover it or cover only part of it. Hopefully that studies like this help to encourage insurance companies to recognize that therapy is a valid and useful treatment for bipolar illness and can even help to reduce your long-term costs.
This study is also important and encouraging to many patients who do not want to be totally dependent on prescription medications. It gives them a sense of hope that they can exercise some control over their lives so far been lacking.
About the Author:
Julie Frey is webmaster at www.bipolarsickiness.com who writes articles relating to bipolar disorder in children = treatments.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – New Bipolar Treatment Proves Patients Can Control Their Mania
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