Bipolar Clinic

What are mood stabilizers and how do they help bipolar patients?

According to studies recorded with the National Institute of Mental Health in 2007(September 2007, Archives of General Psychiatry) 1% of all children are being given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, Compared to the 1994-1995 study which was only 25 out of every 100,000, the 2007 study. Perhaps this increase is due to the under diagnosis from the prior decade or perhaps it is a representation of misdiagnosis now. Children who exhibit manic episodes with bipolar often exhibit the same behavior as those diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).

So if a child is diagnosed with bipolar then what is the treatment they receive? Bipolar is most commonly treated with mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers are in a class of psychotropic medications that are specifically designed for use in patients diagnosed with mood disorder, bipolar disorder and other diagnoses that include symptoms of severe mood swings. Lithium, Depakote, Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine are a few of the common medications that are prescribed for treatment.

Most mood stabilizers are designed to target the manic side of bipolar disorder but few of them do little to help the depressive side of the disorder.

You may think seeking treatment at a bipolar clinic where doctors and staff specifically focus on the treatment of bipolar disorder may be your best option. The Mayo Clinic, Stanford University and Massachusetts General Hospital all host their own bipolar clinic but if they are not in your area they may be able to help you find a closer location. Seeking help from a residential treatment center will be likely to bring the same results as a bipolar facility. Most any residential treatment center in America tends to side with the American Medical Association and the Department of Mental Health.

However a holistic treatment center may say something different. Holistic advocates,much to the dismay of the American Medical Society and Department of Mental Health, say that there is actually a physiological cause for bipolar disorder.

A holistic treatment center will most likely focus on the metabolic/nutritional aspects of the body to address bipolar conditions.

There is much talk in statistical circles that people who suffer from bipolar disorder are likely to abuse alcohol. However, alcohol is widely known to be the most common and best known anti-anxiety drug. So if it is true that people with bipolar disorder are abusing alcohol, then it may be they find themselves at an anxiety treatment center for recovery.

Standard medications at an anxiety treatment center for alcohol recovery are Valium or Librium to deal with withdrawal and then naltrexone to aid in continued sobriety.

But how do you get an alcoholic to accept help? They must be at that point of surrender. And not one of us knows how to lead them to that point though so many have tried. What you can do is offer to take them to treatment but never be judgmental or resort to coercion. This only leads to resentment and rebellion and broken hearts on both sides of the fence.