Question: What is the best treatment for bipolar disorder?
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Bipolar disorder is a genetically inherited disorder. It is rare to see it in people without a family history of the depressive disorder, but that can occur. Many sufferers are very intelligent, but suffer periods when their judgment and actions are not within their control, unless they are taking medication designed for bipolar management.
It is best managed with a mood-stabilizing drug such as Depakote or lithium, but other major tranquilizers such as Lamictal or Risperdal are often used. Depression medication is also used to control the depression but must be used with the mood stabilizer drug to manage manic episodes that also occur with bipolar disorder.
It is quite possible to live a normal life when medication is used to control the disorder, but for individuals who go off medication, life often becomes problematic and unmanageable.
Bipolar disorder is also associated with increased suicide rates and harmful behavior patterns.
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