How is bipolar disorder treated?
Bipolar disorder cannot be cured, but it can be treated effectively over the longterm.
Proper treatment helps many people with bipolar disorder—even those with
the most severe forms of the illness—gain better control of their mood swings and
related symptoms.24, 25, 26 But because it is a lifelong illness, long-term, continuous
treatment is needed to control symptoms.27
However, even with proper treatment, mood changes can occur. In the NIMHfunded
Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder
(STEP-BD) study—the largest treatment study ever conducted for bipolar
disorder—almost half of those who recovered still had lingering symptoms. Having
another mental disorder in addition to bipolar disorder increased one’s chances for
a relapse.28 For more information about STEP-BD, see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
trials/practical/step-bd/index.shtml.
Treatment is more effective if you work closely with a doctor and talk openly about
your concerns and choices. An effective maintenance treatment plan usually
includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy.