What is bipolar disorder and how is it treated?

Bipolar is a type of mood disorder that can be treated. Watch Sue Varma, MD, explain this mental health condition, different treatments and how people with bipolar disorder can lead enriching lives.

Transcript

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Hi, Dr. Varma. As someone with bipolar disorder, I feel like the public doesn't have a great understanding

00:06

of the disorder. So what exactly is bipolar disorder, and how can it be treated?

00:12

Such a great question. So bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder where we see both manic episodes, which

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are very high highs that can interfere with a person's functioning. So they might have a lot of ideas and creativity,

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but he keeps them up late at night. And they can't get normal day-to-day stuff done. And the lows are extremely low.

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They're very depressed. They can't get out of bed. They feel that everything takes a lot of energy out of them.

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So basically, you have these two mood extremes. And at the same time, you have difficulty functioning. [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

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So when we talk about bipolar disorder treatment options, it's important to keep in mind that medication will definitely

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be a part of it. Within the medication categories, there's the antiepileptics. There's mood stabilizers, antipsychotics,

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anticonvulsants, benzodiazepine. There are a variety of medications that are available that are quite effective. So really, it depends on the individual.

01:11

The doctor has to very carefully look at the treatment approach based on who they're dealing with and what they're looking for. Having said that, medications being an important part,

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I'm also a big believer in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy makes lasting changes in the brain. We have found that areas in the brain that are pertaining

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to fear-- the hippocampus, the amygdala-- that these areas really are able to shrink.

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So that sort of the anxious fear response that we see in depression, that we see in mania is able to decrease. Once bipolar disorder is diagnosed

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and people are able to get treatment, I want to assure you that people can lead very fulfilling, productive,

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and enriching lives. [THEME MUSIC]