How to Stop Bipolar Outbursts

Depression is just one of the symptoms of depression.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder "is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks" "See Resources." The symptoms of bipolar disorder--including severe depression, manic tendencies, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, loss of energy, lack of sleep, and many more--can come and go quickly without warning. To ease the severe mood swings, there are things that you can do to make you feel better both mentally and physically.

Instructions

1. Seek professional help. Bipolar disorder can disrupt not only your life but the lives of your friends and family members, as well. To manage your outbursts, immediately see a doctor or mental health physician to receive a prescription of medication.

2. Take prescription medication daily, as prescribed by a doctor for the severity of your outbursts. There are many different kinds of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for bipolar disorder, such as: mood stabilizers, such as lithium and valproic acid; atypical antipsychotic medications, such as lanzapine and aripiprazole; and antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). It is important to know that these drugs can have serious side effects "See Resources."

3. Seek the help of a psychotherapist. A psychotherapist can help you manage your lifestyle, reduce unnecessary stresses in your life, allow you talk openly about your disorder, and teach you ways to calm yourself down to avoid outbursts. The psychotherapist can also have your entire family join in the treatment process, so they can understand what you're going through, how to help calm you, and how to relieve stress in your life.

4. Consider electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or "shock treatment," if medication and therapy fail to control your outbursts. ECT has improved greatly over the years and can help your bipolar disorder. The treatment typically last under 2 minutes, during which you receive anesthesia so you don't feel the shocks.

5. Take herbal supplements to help treat your bipolar outbursts. To our knowledge, little research has been done on herbal regimens; however, some herbs have been proven helpful. St. John's Wort and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce depression. However, these herbs may have additional side effects; therefore, talk to your doctor before starting an herbal regimen.

6. Make a specific routine for yourself. Eating meals at the same time every day, going to bed and waking up at the same time, and doing other things in a specific routine will help reduce your bipolar outbursts.

7. Exercise and learn how to relax. Exercising regularly can help reduce depression outbursts and relieve manic outbursts. Also, learn how to make yourself relax, whether it's reading a book once a day, sitting quietly for an hour, or getting a massage once a week. Do something for yourself that makes you feel good and calms you down.

References

• Help Guide: The Bipolar Medication Guide

Resources

• National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder