Although the condition cannot be fully cured, the prognosis of bipolar disorder is positive, and patients who take medications to treat bipolar disorder tend to experience favorable outcomes.
If you or a loved one hasbipolar disorder, you may wonder, “Can bipolar be cured?”Existing researchsuggests that bipolar disorder stems from brain changes that alter attention, executive functioning and the processing of emotions. Bipolar disorder is also linked to alterations in the connections of nerve cells in some regions of the brain. These changes in brain physiology and functioning cannot be cured.
While there isno magical cure for bipolar disorder, there are treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help people with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms and improve their lives. Standard treatments and natural remedies can improve a person’s mental health overall.
Treatment Options
Treatment for bipolar disordercan involve medication, therapy or a combination of the two. According to theNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), medications, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and in some cases,antidepressants, can treat bipolar symptoms.
In a review of the research with medications used forbipolar treatment, scientists writing forLancet Psychiatrydetermined that most of the medications used to treat bipolar disorder are more effective than a placebo.Lamotrigine shows greater tolerability when compared to carbamazepine and lithium, but the authors of the review report that lithium is still the gold standard medication forbipolar treatment.
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Additionally,NAMIreports that therapy, education and self-management of symptoms can also be useful parts ofbipolar disorder treatment.Researchshows thatcognitive behavioral therapyand psychoeducation groups are especially effective for preventing relapse in stabilized cases of bipolar disorder. In addition, areview of the researchshows that psychotherapy may be beneficial when used in combination with medication, as it appears that the combination of medication and therapy is superior to medication alone forbipolar treatment.
Natural Remedies
Beyond standard treatments, there arenatural remedies for bipolar disorder.Existing researchonnatural remedies to treat bipolar disordershows that there are a variety of effective options:
- Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Light therapy
- Herbal medicines, such as St. John’s wort and Rhodiola rosea
- Acupuncture
- Mindfulness
Long-Term Outlook
Although the condition cannot be fully cured, theprognosis of bipolar disorderis positive, and patients who take medications to treat bipolar disorder tend to experience favorable outcomes.A studyconducted over 18 months found that 88 percent of patients were retained on medications, and 74 percent of them remained relapse-free.
A second studyprovides a positivebipolar disorder outlook. The study, which followed individuals with a bipolar disorder diagnosis over four years, determined that mood episodes decrease significantly over time. Around one-third of the 266 patients in this study did not have a recurring episode. The study’s authors report that ongoing high-quality treatment can improvebipolar long-term prognosis.
Empower Yourself With Tools to Recover From Bipolar Disorder
Learningbipolar management toolscan improve your mental health and support your recovery from bipolar disorder. A study in the journalStress & Healthshows that people who demonstrate an ability to self-manage bipolar symptoms have better mental health.
Managing bipolar symptoms may involve attending support or education groups and tracking your symptoms in a journal. By tracking symptoms, you can learn about the factors that trigger or contribute to mood episodes, as well as the habits that can prevent a relapse.
Some people may find that they require the help of a professional, even if they are usingbipolar management tools.Professional helpmay be necessary for people who struggle with substance use disorders in addition to bipolar disorder.
If you or a loved one struggle with adrug or alcohol addiction and co-occurring bipolar disorder, The Recovery Village may be able to provide the supportive care you need.Reach out to a representativetoday to begin your journey toward recovery.
