Most Effective Bipolar Disorder Treatment and Symptoms

By We Level Up | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: July 19, 2023

Bipolar Disorder Treatments Statistics

The average age of onset for bipolar disorder is around 25 years old, affecting about 2.8% of adults worldwide. The average time to get an accurate diagnosis is nearly 10 years because of the high rate of misdiagnosis. The condition appears to be slightly more common in women. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder are more likely to struggle with anxiety and substance abuse. Medication non-adherence is a common problem, and relapse rates remain significant, despite the availability of effective treatments like medication and psychotherapy (especially CBT and Interpersonal Therapy). About half of people with severe episodes need to be hospitalized.

About 15% to 20% of people with bipolar disorder will make a suicide attempt at some point in their lives. Direct medical costs and lost productivity contribute significantly to the financial strain on individuals and society caused by bipolar disorder. The best way to manage bipolar disorder and help those suffering from it live better is through early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and support.

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Bipolar 1 vs 2: What’s the Difference?

There are two main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. Even though both involve mood swings, they are not the same. Bipolar 1 is characterized by severe episodes of mania that can lead to hospitalization and are often accompanied by episodes of depression. On the other hand, Bipolar 2 is characterized by hypomania, a mild form of mania, and more severe depression.

The two subtypes differ in how strong and long mood swings are, affecting how they are treated. A professional in mental health must make a correct diagnosis to make a treatment plan that works for each person’s unique needs. Knowing the differences between Bipolar 1 and 2 can help people get help sooner and deal with these complicated mood disorders better.

	Bipolar 1	Bipolar 2
Manic Episodes	Severe and may require hospitalization	Milder, known as hypomania
Depressive Episodes	Commonly experienced alongside manic episodes	More prominent and longer-lasting
Mania Duration	Typically lasts at least one week	Usually lasts at least four days
Hypomania Duration	Not applicable (no hypomania in Bipolar 1)	Typically lasts at least four days
Risk of Psychosis	Higher risk during manic episodes	Less likely to experience psychosis
Diagnosis	Can be diagnosed with or without depressive episodes	Requires at least one major depressive episode
Impact on Daily Life	Severe impairment during manic and depressive episodes	Moderate impairment during depressive episodes
Treatment Approach	Often involves aggressive treatment to manage manic episodes	Focus on addressing depressive symptoms and preventing hypomania
Prognosis	May have a more severe course and higher risk of disability	Generally, a less severe course and better functional outcomes

Bipolar Disorder Treatment & Diagnosis

A qualified mental health professional, usually a psychiatrist or a psychologist, must do a full evaluation to determine if someone has bipolar disorder. There are several steps to the process:

• Clinical Interview: The mental health professional talks to the person in depth to learn about their medical and mental health history and their family’s mental health problems. The interview also examines the person’s symptoms, how long they have been going on, and how they affect their daily life.
• Evaluation of Mood: The professional looks at the person’s mood patterns to see if they have any episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression. Consideration is given to how long, how bad, and how often these mood swings happen.
• Differential Diagnosis: The mental health professional tell bipolar disorder apart from other medical and psychiatric conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, or other mood disorders.
• Medical Evaluation: A physical exam and other medical tests may be done to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
• Diagnostic Criteria: The diagnosis is based on specific criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which the American Psychiatric Association publishes. The DSM-5 criteria give guidelines for finding the presence and patterns of manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes, which are needed to diagnose bipolar disorder.
• Observation and Additional Information: Family members, close friends, or other caregivers may be asked for their thoughts on the person’s symptoms and behavior to get a fuller picture of them.
• Duration and Frequency of Episodes: To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, symptoms must have been present for some time and have happened in the last few weeks. A manic episode usually lasts at least a week, and a depressive episode lasts at least two weeks.

Bipolar Disorder Medication

Medication is crucial to treating bipolar disorder because it helps stabilize mood swings, stop episodes, and improve the person’s overall functioning. Bipolar disorder is treated with several different kinds of drugs:

• Mood stabilizers are the primary medicines used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium is a mood stabilizer often given to people to stop manic and depressive episodes. Valproate (Depakote) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) are other mood stabilizers.
• Antipsychotics: Atypical antipsychotics are used to treat bipolar disorder episodes of mania or mixed mania. They can quickly eliminate manic symptoms and use mood stabilizers for long-term care. Examples include aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel), and olanzapine (Zyprexa).
• Antidepressants: People with bipolar disorder may be given antidepressants to help ease the symptoms of depression. But they are usually used with care because they can cause manic episodes. Antidepressants are often taken with medicines that stabilize the mood to lower this risk.
• Anxiolytics: Benzodiazepines and other drugs can be used to control anxiety and irritability during manic or depressive episodes. Due to the risk of becoming dependent on them, they are usually only given for a short time.
• Adjunctive Medications: Some people may benefit from additional medications to help with certain side effects or symptoms. For instance, sleep aids can be used to deal with insomnia caused by mood swings.

We Level Up Inpatient Bipolar Treatment: Bringing Stability Back and Giving People the Tools to Get Better

At We Level Up, we know the unique problems that people with bipolar disorder face, and our team is committed to helping them get better by giving them comprehensive and specialized inpatient treatment. Our inpatient bipolar treatment program gives people with severe mood swings and those who need intensive therapeutic help a safe and structured place to live.

• Personalized Treatment Plans: When a patient comes in, our experienced psychiatric team thoroughly evaluates to determine the best way to treat them. We make treatment plans for each person that are unique to their needs, symptoms, and goals because we know that no two people’s paths to recovery are the same.
• Support and care are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at our inpatient facility. Our caring and trained staff are always there to help and care for our patients. This level of care creates a place where patients can heal and get better without being distracted.
• Medication Management: Our board-certified psychiatrists closely monitor medication schedules and adjust doses as needed to get the best control of symptoms. We use medications that have been shown to work, like mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, to stop mood swings and stop them from happening again.
• Therapeutic Interventions: Our inpatient program offers a wide range of therapies that have been shown to work, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and individual and group counseling. These therapies help people understand their illness, learn how to deal with it, and get stronger to handle their symptoms better.
• Wellness and Life Skills: Our treatment plan includes training in life skills and wellness programs taught by our team of experts from different fields. These are meant to give people the tools and skills to deal with life’s problems, start healthy habits, and improve their overall health.
• Community and Peer Support: Our inpatient setting encourages peer support and helps patients feel like they are part of a group. Patients can connect, relate, and grow together in a supportive environment made possible by group therapy and shared experiences.
• Transition Planning: As a patient’s treatment goes on, we work to make the change from inpatient care to outpatient care as smooth as possible. Our team works closely with patients and their families to make detailed plans for aftercare. This ensures that patients get support and care even after leaving the hospital.

At We Level Up, we aim to give people with bipolar disorder the tools to get back in charge of their lives and reach their fullest potential. Our inpatient bipolar treatment program gives people a caring

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