Coping with Bipolar Disorder: The Role of Medication in Managing Symptoms

What causes bipolar disorder?

Genetics plays a significant role in your probability of developing bipolar disorder. If a close relative of yours, such as siblings or parents, has or has had bipolar disorder, your chances of developing bipolar disorder increase. That being said, genetics alone does not determine who will develop bipolar disorder and who will not. Other influences, such as environmental factors and life experiences, play a crucial role in the development of bipolar disorder. Biological factors, such as imbalances in certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, are believed to contribute to bipolar disorder. These hormones are responsible for mood regulations; imbalance in these can affect them. Experiencing trauma, grief, and severe sadness may increase the risk and severity of bipolar disorder.

Medications for Bipolar disorder

Once diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you'll likely have to start taking medications immediately to keep your mood balanced. Several medications are available and used to treat this condition. Medication management for bipolar disorder depends on person to person. One medication that works for a person may not work for another. Finding the right medications/combination is usually trial and error and should be supervised by a certified doctor. The availability of generic bipolar disorder pills online makes unauthorized/unsupervised use of the medication easier, but you should never take them without consultation from a certified doctor. Monitoring and adjustment of medications is usually necessary to maintain stability and side effects.

Numerous medications are used (alone or in combination) to treat bipolar disorder. Some of them include:

Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilizers help regulate highs (mania) and lows (depression).

Antidepressants:  Depression episodes of bipolar disorder are treated with antidepressants. To lessen the chance of inciting manic episodes, these drugs are typically taken in combination with mood stabilizers or antipsychotics.

Antipsychotic drugs: Antipsychotic drugs aid in the treatment of psychotic and manic symptoms. Additionally, some antipsychotics are used to stabilize mood.

Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are used to manage severe symptoms of anxiety or agitation or to help with sleep disturbances.

The role of medication in managing bipolar disorder symptoms

Medication is an essential aspect of managing bipolar disorder. Based on the medications' variety and usage, we can list some conditions that bipolar medications help manage. For best results, bipolar medication is typically used in combination with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications.

Stabilise mood: Bipolar disorder is known for significant mood swings. The difference in moods differs from severe depression to hypomanic episodes. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants are used to help regulate swings in patients' moods. Taking the mood stabilizer medications as prescribed by your doctor helps maintain mood stability and reduces the frequency and severity episodes of the mood episodes.

Minimize harmful behavior: People with bipolar disorder may take harmful actions. These behaviors are present in both depression and mania episodes. During hypomania/mania episodes, they may engage in risky behaviors such as overspeeding, risky sexual activities, substance abuse, etc. They may also go on reckless spending/shopping, resulting in financial challenges. During depression episodes, thoughts of self-harm may occur. Patients with bipolar disorder may attempt suicide or take harmful actions. Medication may reduce these impulses, reducing the risk associated with these behaviors.

Prevent relapses: Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that has recurrent episodes with some time of stability. Regular usage of medications reduces the chances of relapses or worsening of the symptoms. Taking the medicines irregularly or discontinuing them without proper supervision may increase the risk of relapses.

Lower the risk of hospitalization: Not taking medications correctly or not taking them at all increases the risks of acute episodes. Acute episodes of bipolar disorder may require hospitalization. Consistent and proper medication use may help keep situations under control and prevent this emergency from occurring.

Address co-occurring conditions: Bipolar disorder may have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorder and insomnia. Many patients have to face these conditions together. Proper adherence to medications may help manage these conditions more effectively.

Improve functioning: Medication helps prevent crisis episodes and harmful behavior and increases general symptoms, improving daily functioning and quality of life. By managing bipolar disorder symptoms, medications help people with bipolar disorder in engaging daily activities and relationships and work better.

Improve the long-term prognosis: Regular and proper use of medications under the guidance of a certified doctor may lead to better long-term results for people with bipolar disorder. Medications contribute towards a stable and fulfilling future by managing symptoms and reducing the impact of illness on daily life.

Other options that help to cope with bipolar disorder

• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Psychoeducation

• Family-focused therapy

• Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Supportive therapy

• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, also known as rTMS

• Ketamine

• Lifestyle changes

Where to buy bipolar disorder medications?

You can buy bipolar disorder drugs online at lower prices. Most of the generic and brand-name medications are available online. They can be ordered from home and delivered to your doorstep. Bipolar disorder medications may have severe side effects, so it is vital to discuss your condition with a certified doctor and take your medication under their supervision. Taking medication without proper consultation and being unsupervised may not offer relief and lead to the worsening of the situation. Buy medicines of the same strength and quantity as your doctor prescribed.

Conclusion

The exact cause behind bipolar disorder is not yet fully understood as it is a very complex mental disorder. Medications play a big part in coping with bipolar disorder. Due to the complexity of the condition, the medicines are highly individualized. Your doctor will tailor your medications for your individual needs, and it may be based on trial and error basis, and they may make changes based on the requirement. To get the best results, your doctor may monitor your condition regularly, including keeping a track record of your mood symptoms, effectiveness, and side effects (if present) of medications and medication adherence.