Known as a condition that causes one to experience severe mood swings, bipolar disorder represents a major mental health issue. Unless addressed properly, it can lead to a plethora of adverse effects, including misuse of drugs and alcohol (Flowers et al., 2019). By raising awareness among vulnerable demographics, as well as introducing appropriate screening tools and promoting a complex treatment approach, one can contribute to effective management of bipolar disorder.
The approach toward addressing the bipolar disorder implies a comprehensive framework comprising medications and the active use of therapy. Specifically, when approaching the subject matter, a healthcare expert must keep in mind that the bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition which requires consistent and continuous treatment. Thus, informing the patient about the nature of the disease and the treatment process is vital. The treatment itself involves taking medications that minimize the effects of the bipolar disorder, particularly, the development of severe depression and the emergence of convulsions. Specifically, drugs such as Lithium and anticonvulsants are incorporated into the treatment process (Flowers et al., 2019). Antipsychotics and antidepressants, primarily, SNRIs, SSRIUs, and Tricyclics, are integrated into the treatment framework.
In addition, therapy is used to assist patents in managing their condition. For instance, Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) can be used to assist patients with the bipolar disorder in addressing issues such as mood swings and the resulting challenges in living with the disorder (Flowers et al., 2019). The use of the Cognitive Behavior therapy as a means of introducing the patient to alternative responses to key factors causing the mood swings is another means of managing the specified concern (Flowers et al., 2019). Furthermore, in order to support a patient in rebuilding the rapport with family members, one may incorporate the family-focused therapy (Flowers et al., 2019). The specified treatment options need to be combined into a single framework that will allow patients to control the mood swings and improve their quality of life.
When communicating with a bipolar patient, a healthcare expert must keep in mind the importance of documenting the core concerns and the relevant details of the disorder properly. For this purpose, a healthcare expert must consider using a semi-structured interview and utilize digital tools for recording the patient’s answers (Flowers et al., 2019). The choice of the semi-structured framework for the documentation process is defined by the necessity to introduce additional insights that cannot be obtained by asking general questions regarding the patient’s condition.
Finally, the treatment plan for the bipolar disorder should focus on customer-specific issues and provide a roadmap to the family management of the condition. For this reason, the treatment plan must start with the identification and scheduling of key medications, namely, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety medications (Flowers et al., 2019). Next, psychotherapy sessions must be scheduled so that the patient could receive the needed guidance and support (Flowers et al., 2019). The plan should outline the main requirements for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle for the patient. In turn, a follow-up plan must include a schedule for screening and the relevant procedures.
The integration of tools for building awareness concerning bipolar disorder, offering the target population appropriate screening options, and promoting a complex treatment framework involving therapy and the use of medications, one will assist bipolar patients with managing their condition. Specifically, the issue needs to be approached as a major health concern that has to be diagnosed accordingly, with respective treatment options, particularly, the integration of substance misuse prevention strategies. Thus, further mental health deterioration can be avoided, and the quality of patients’ lives can be improved.
Reference
Flowers, S. A., Baxter, N. T., Ward, K. M., Kraal, A. Z., McInnis, M. G., Schmidt, T. M., & Ellingrod, V. L. (2019). Effects of atypical antipsychotic treatment and resistant starch supplementation on gut microbiome composition in a cohort of patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 39(2), 161-170. Web.
