Treatment

Initial treatment: Often, you'll need to start taking medications to balance your moods right away. Once your symptoms are under control, you'll work with your doctor to find the best long-term treatment.

Continued treatment: Bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment, even during periods when you feel better. Maintenance treatment is used to manage bipolar disorder on a long-term basis. People who skip maintenance treatment are at high risk of a relapse of symptoms or having minor mood changes turn into full-blown mania or depression.

Day treatment programs: These programs provide the support and counseling you need while you get symptoms under control.

Substance abuse treatment: If you have problems with alcohol or drugs, you'll also need substance abuse treatment. Otherwise, it can be very difficult to manage bipolar disorder.

Hospitalization: Your doctor may recommend hospitalization if you're behaving dangerously, you feel suicidal or you become detached from reality (psychotic). Getting psychiatric treatment at a hospital can help keep you calm and safe and stabilize your mood, whether you're having a manic or major depressive episode.

According to the National Advisory Mental Health Council treatment success is about 80%,

51% of individuals with bi polar are untreated.

Mood Disorders

Bipolar I and II