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| HOME > About Bipolar Disorder > Managing Bipolar Disorder | |
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Managing Bipolar DisorderThe good news is that there are more treatment options for bipolar disorder today than ever before. There are different components to treatment that you should know about: MedicationThere are several types of medication used to help control symptoms of bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers are usually used long-term to help delay episodes of mania (extreme highs) or depression (extreme lows). Other medications may be used short-term to treat symptoms of mania or depression. Medications may be used alone or in combination with other therapies for treating bipolar disorder. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe other medications when you are unable to sleep, feel anxious or agitated, or are restless. It may take a while for your medications to work. Regular blood tests are required with some medications. Ask your healthcare provider if they are required with your medication. What works for one person may not work for someone else. That's why it's especially important to work with your healthcare provider to find a treatment, or a combination of treatments, that's right for you. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)This therapy can be very helpful for people who cannot tolerate or respond poorly to medications, or for people who are very ill. ECT can be life-saving in severe mania or depression. Psychotherapy ("talk therapy" or counseling) Psychotherapy is talking with a mental health professional about yourself, including your situation, relationships, and condition. It may help you learn how to make sense of your thoughts and feelings.
Choosing a therapist
Self-care You can take an active role in the treatment of your bipolar disorder. Focus on things you can do for yourself:
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Important Safety Information about LAMICTAL Prescription LAMICTAL Tablets are not for everyone. Most people who take LAMICTAL tolerate it well. Common side effects with LAMICTAL include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremor, and rash. LAMICTAL may cause other side effects not listed here. If you develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about, or if you need more information, call your doctor. Although most patients who develop a rash while receiving LAMICTAL have mild to moderate symptoms, some individuals may develop a serious skin reaction that requires hospitalization. It is not possible to predict whether a mild rash will develop into a more serious one. Rarely, deaths have been reported. These serious skin reactions are most likely to happen within the first 8 weeks of treatment with LAMICTAL. Serious skin reactions occur more often in children than in adults. Rashes may be more likely to occur if you: take LAMICTAL in combination with valproate (brand names are Depakene® (valproic acid)* and Depakote® (divalproex sodium)*), take a higher starting dose of LAMICTAL than your doctor prescribed, or increase your dose of LAMICTAL faster than prescribed. If you experience any of the following with or without a skin rash, tell your doctor immediately: hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or swelling of lips or tongue. These symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor should evaluate your condition and determine if you should continue taking LAMICTAL. Serious blood problems or liver problems have been reported with LAMICTAL, so tell your doctor if you develop symptoms such as unusual bruising or bleeding, severe muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and/or frequent infections. You should not take LAMICTAL if you had an allergic reaction to it in the past. LAMICTAL is indicated for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder to delay the time to occurrence of mood episodes (depression, mania, hypomania, mixed episodes) in adults treated for acute mood episodes with standard therapy. The effectiveness of LAMICTAL in the acute treatment of mood episodes has not been established. |
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