Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Most people take more than one medication, like a mood-stabilizing drug and an antidepressant. However, it's important that treatment be ongoing -- even after you feel better -- to keep mood swings under control.

One note of caution: The FDA has determined that antidepressant medications can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other mental health disorders. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your health care provider.

After remission from an acute episode of bipolar disorder, a person is at high risk for relapse for about six months. Thus, maintenance (ongoing) therapy is often recommended.

Anyone who has experienced two to three episodes of bipolar disorder is considered a long-term -- if not lifetime -- bipolar patient. That person should have maintenance therapy. Once your doctor has helped stabilize the moods of the acute phase of the disorder (either a manic or depressive episode), drug therapy is continued indefinitely -- often at lower doses.

Remember this: Even if you have been without bipolar symptoms for several months, do not stop taking your medications. Your doctor may lower your doses, but discontinuation of medications will put you at risk for recurrence of bipolar symptoms.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.