Bipolar Disorder - Medication and Recovery - Dissertation Example

Bipolar Disorder: Medication and Recovery Jennifer Kirman s Corse Literaturereview As observed by Phillips and Franks (2006), the complexity of bipolar disorder poses very significant challenges in the diagnosis and treatment process. Recent researches have articulated on the imperative of adjusting the dipolar psychotherapy to get the better results from the medication process. Better and quality treatment of dipolar improve the quality of patient’s life. The previous literatures have outlined the significant of psychotherapeutic intervention in improving the psychological functioning of the patient. In the symptom based perspective, bipolar is a multi-systematic disorder related to disturbances in physical, emotional, and social realm. Based on its effect on the sleeping pattern, bipolar disorder is defined as a disorder typified by episodic mood disturbance. Bipolar disorders have both long term and short term effect on the patient personality. Abrupt action to reduce its effect is therefore indispensable According to Phillips and Franks (2006), bipolar disorder is a multifaceted disorder which calls for multidirectional therapy. The complexity nature of the disorder complicates the entire diagnosis and treatment process. There are several methods of addressing the dipolar menace. There has been a debate on the outcome of antidepressants in the treatment of bipolar disorder. There are some practitioner who disallows the use of antidepressants at certain disorder stages while other advocate for long term utilization of antidepressants. In reference to recent studies, antidepressant has every limited benefit to bipolar patients. Bipolar is the central cause of disability in the United States of America. The global prevalence of the bipolar I disorder is 0.4 to 1.6% of the world population. The bipolar 11 disorder affected roughly 0.4 to 0.5 of the total world population. Bipolar is the fifth cause of disability among people aged between 15-44 years globally. The rate of complete suicide among people with bipolar disorder has been predicted to be sixty times more than for the unaffected population. On the other hand, the societal cost of bipolar in the United States of America is estimated to be $ 45 billion annually. The quality of life for a bipolar disorder patient is therefore characterized by occupational absenteeism and disability, interrelation instability, frequent hospitalization, reduced income, and premature death. According to Basco, Ladd, Myers and Tyler (2007), bipolar disorder is characterized by interpersonal crisis, stressful life events, and insufficient stress management skills. At some level, pharmacological treatment is vital in managing the bipolar disorder. As observed by Miklolowitz and Otto (2006) pharmacological treatment cannot provide complete treatment to the dipolar disorder. Medication lacks the capacity of reinstating and maintaining the physical wellbeing of the patient while improving the patient quality of life. According to Miklolowitz and Otto (2006), the combination of medication and psychotherapy improves tremendously the long-standing production capacity of a patient. In this regard, sufficient incorporation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy improve significantly the performance and the quality of life of the patient and the entire family. The core purpose of treating and managing bipolar disorder is to improve the production capability of the patient, reduce the client’s chances of committing suicide as well as eliminating the long term effects of bipolar disorder. To affect this prevention measures, counseling is very significant to the patient and the entire family. Therapists are expected to concur with the patient family on the best therapy model to apply in addressing the predicament. Medication without the inclusion of any other therapeutic measure has proved unproductive in the treatment of dipolar. As observed by Rizvi and Zaretsky (2007), different counseling modalities have been incorporated in the success of dipolar treatment process. Some of the counseling therapies which have proved its effectiveness in the bipolar management are family-focused therapy, psycho-education, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy. According to Culver, Arnow and Ketter (2007) the main rationale of therapeutic intervention among the bipolar patient is to trim down the symptoms, educate the patient and the family about the menace associated with the disorder, episode protection, increased realization of emerging symptoms, facilitation of early medical intervention, strategizing for relapse prevention, and ensuring medication prescription is well adhered to. Patient acquires knowledge and skills for managing the bipolar disorder through intensive therapeutic intervention. It also reduces reliance on antidepressant medication which increases mood destabilization. The incorporation of the medication treatment and therapies has proved very effective in the management of bipolar disorder. Comprehensive combination of medication and psycho-education therapy increases the patient’s acquaintance in bipolar management as well as reducing the number of relapses. The cognitive therapy increases the compliance of medication and psychological functioning. On the other hand, family focus therapy also reduces the relapse in bipolar disorder patient. Additionally, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy is also known for reducing suicidal risks. The holistic approach in the management of bipolar disorder is very crucial in improving the quality of life of a victim. In most cases, the superiority of life of bipolar patient is compromised as compared to the quality life of uninfected person. It is also important to integrate family members in the treatment process. Family members are the center care giver of the bipolar patient. As observed by Miklowitz and Otto (2006), family behaviors and attributes have a very grave impact to bipolar victim. An enlightened and cooperative family is therefore very significant in the management of the bipolar disorder. As observed by Miklowitz and Otto (2006), the vibrant nature of the family setting affects the way in which family members manages a mentally ill person. According to Miklowitz and Otto (2006), environmental facet and live events shapes the regularity of bipolar disorder occurrence and the recovery rate. The dysfunctions in the family setting accelerate the rate of bipolar disorder. It increases depression and manic characteristics in a bipolar patience. The nature of social and family support has an impact on the direction of bipolar disorder. Limited support increases recovery period while compatible support reduces tremendously the recovery period. Bipolar disorder has a very challenging impact to the infected patient health. It has emerged as the main challenge in the entire spectrum of the experts who work with the infected and affected societies. Due to its chronic nature, bipolar disorder impacts unenthusiastic to the entire life of the patient. Bipolar disorder is one of the very complicated chronic illnesses in human sphere. Professionals who address the complication associated with bipolar disorder support the use of family focused therapy, psycho-education therapy, cognitive therapy, interpersonal, and rhythm therapy. These therapies are incorporated together with pharmacotherapy to advance the clinical condition of a bipolar patient. The psychotherapeutic interventions in combination with medication process have proved to be very effective in bipolar management. It is also important to include family members in therapy to reduce chances of chaos in families. In the social spectrum, bipolar patients have very high prospect of family problems, divorce, and social isolation. Any intervention that can create strong family and other social bonds is very precious. Appropriate medical and psychological intervention is likely to reduce the social cost of managing bipolar disorder. On the other hand, public awareness is very essential in reducing impact of the bipolar disorder to the society. Individuals can learn the best ways of dealing with the snags associated with bipolar through public education. References Culver, J., Arnow, B., and Ketter, T. (2007). Bipolar disorder: Improving diagnosis and optimizing integrated care. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63, 73-92 Basco, M., Ladd, G.,Meyer, D. and Tyler, D.(2007). Combining medication treatment am=nd cognitive- behaviors therapy for bipolar disorder. Journal of cognitive psychotherapy, 21, 7-15. Miklowitz, D., and Otto, M.(2006). New psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder. A review of literature and introduction of the systematic treatment enhancement program. Journal of cognitive psychotherapy Murray, G., and Michalak, E. (2007). Quality of life in patients with bipolar disorder: Defining and measuring goals. Psychiatric Times, 24, 24-26. Retrieved on March 7, 2012, from Academic Search Premier Database. Philips, M. and Frank, E. (2006). Redefining bipolar disorders: Towards DCM-V. The America journals of psychiatry, 163, 1135-1136 Rizvi, S., and Zaretsky, A.(2007). Psychotherapy through the phases of bipolar disorders: Evidence for general efface and differential effects. Journals of Clinical Psychology, 63, 491-506. Retrieved on April 6 2012, from academic search premier Database. Read More