“A doctor can complete a medical history, physical exam, and laboratory exam to rule out physical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. If symptoms are not caused by other illnesses, the doctor may then provide a referral to a mental health professional,” Mathis says.
Bipolar Disorder Treatments
“Today, people with bipolar disorder have more FDA-approved treatment options,” Mathis says.
Medications to treat bipolar disorder include:
- mood stabilizers, which help balance certain brain chemicals to prevent mania, hypomania, or depressive episodes
- antipsychotic drugs, which include relatively newer drugs called “atypical antipsychotics”
“Atypical antipsychotics are often used as the first-line treatment in severely manic patients because they work quickly and are, in several ways, safer than the older antipsychotic drugs,” Mathis explains.
That said, medications may have side effects. For instance, side effects of mood stabilizers can include nausea, trembling, and increased thirst. And side effects of antipsychotic medications can include sleepiness, dizziness, and feeling restless.
In addition, if you take atypical antipsychotics, your doctor should regularly monitor your weight, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol, Mathis notes, because these medications can cause problems like weight gain and increased cholesterol.