Sources:

The Bipolar Disorder Answer Book: Answers to More than 275 of Your Most Pressing
Questions
by Charles Atkins.
Atlas of Bipolar Disorders by Taylor & Francis. 2006
Living with Bipolar: A Guide to Understanding and Managing the Disorder
by Lesley Berk, Michael Berk, David Castle and Sue Lauder

"Bipolar disorder." The Gale Encyclopedia of Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth
Lerner. 4th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Gale Science In Context. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.
Title: Atlas of Bipolar Disorders
Author: Taylor, Edward H.Date: 2006

Bipolar disorder tends to worsen if it is not treated. Over time, a person may suffer more frequent and more severe episodes than
when the illness first appeared.5 Also, delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment make a person more likely to
experience personal, social, and work-related problems. 6
Proper diagnosis and treatment helps people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. In most cases, treatment can
help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.

Many people with bipolar disorder have successful careers, happy family lives, and satisfying
relationships. Living with bipolar disorder is challenging. But with treatment, healthy coping skills, and
a solid support system, you can live fully while managing your symptoms.

It's a serious mental illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, and
even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated.

What causes bipolar disorder:

The basic cause for bipolar disorder is not entirely known, as it is not for other mood
disorders. It is known that biological factors (related to brain neurotransmitters),
genetic, social and psychological Weds in triggering the disease. In general, genetic
and biological factors can determine how the individual reacts to psychological and
social, maintaining normalcy or triggering illness. The bipolar disorder has an
important genetic trait, so the family tendency to the disease can be observed.
Abstract:
Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder characterized by depression episodes, mania
or hypomania and asymptomatic phases. The treatment aims at the control of acute
episodes and prevention of new episodes. The pharmacological treatment was
inaugurated with lithium. Until the moment, lithium remains as the treatment with

more favorable evidences in the maintenance phase. Other treatments demonstrate

efficacy in this phase, as valproate, carbamazepine and atypical antipsychotics. Of
the atypical antipsychotics, the most studied in this phase of treatment is
olanzapine. More prospective studies are necessary to confirm prophylactic action of
new agents.
Treatment of bipolar disorder
With proper treatment, even people with the most severe cases of bipolar disorder can in many ways control
and stabilize their mood swings and other related symptoms. Since bipolar is a life-long disorder, long-term
treatment is required. Usually, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment are used to help the
patient cope with living with bipolar (Bahk, W.M., Yoon, B.H., Lee, K.U., Chae, J.H 2004).
Treatment of bipolar tends to be more successful with continuous treatment than with "on and off." However,
even with non-stop treatment mood swings and episodes are still prevalent. When this happens, the doctor may
make adjustments to the patients' treatment in hopes to prevent full blown episodes from occurring. A close
doctor/patient relationship is an integral part in the treatment of bipolar and can make a significant difference.
Also the doctor may recommend keeping a chart of daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life
events (William et. al. 2004). This may help people with bipolar disorder and their families to better
understand the illness. This chart also can help the doctor track and treat the illness more effectively.
In conjunction with therapy, people suffering from bipolar disorder are given medication to help them cope
with the symptoms and possibly prevent episodic behavior (Bahk et. al. 2004). Often times, the patients are
given what are known as "mood stabilizers." There are several different types of mood stabilizers out there.
Some are given for an extensive period of time, while others are added only when needed for short term use.
Some of the common used mood stabilizers include lithium, valproate, topomax, and neurontin. Some
medication that is specifically used to treat bipolar depression include risperdel, clozaril, zyprexa, and ambien
(Bahk et. al. 2004).
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder is a serious illness that can often times ruin the patient's life if not properly treated.
Researchers continue today to try and find the best treatment and understand the causes of this disorder.
Bipolar affects over two million America adults and although we have not found a cure or cause, with new
innovative research and developments we reach closer to that goal each and every day. It's important that
everybody has a better understanding of the disorder because it can have a very traumatizing affect on the
persons we love. Suicide is a real risk when someone is experiencing a depressive episode, and through better
education of the public on bipolar we can help people understand the severity of the situation, and help those
who are suffering get the professional attention they so need.

What can people with bipolar disorder expect from treatment?

Bipolar disorder has no cure, but can be effectively treated over the long-term. It is best controlled when treatment is continuous,
rather than on and off. In the STEP-BD study, a little more than half of the people treated for bipolar disorder recovered over one
year's time. For this study, recovery meant having two or fewer symptoms of the disorder for at least eight weeks.
However, even with proper treatment, mood changes can occur. In the STEP-BD study, almost half of those who recovered still
had lingering symptoms. These people experienced a relapse or recurrence that was usually a return to a depressive state. 49 If a
person had a mental illness in addition to bipolar disorder, he or she was more likely to experience a relapse. 49 Scientists are
unsure, however, how these other illnesses or lingering symptoms increase the chance of relapse. For some people, combining
psychotherapy with medication may help to prevent or delay relapse. 42
Treatment may be more effective when people work closely with a doctor and talk openly about their concerns and choices.
Keeping track of mood changes and symptoms with a daily life chart can help a doctor assess a person's response to treatments.
Sometimes the doctor needs to change a treatment plan to make sure symptoms are controlled most effectively. A psychiatrist
should guide any changes in type or dose of medication.