Even with proper treatment, mood changes can occur. Treatment is more effective when a patient and health care provider work together and talk openly about concerns and choices. Keeping a life chart that records daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events can help patients and health care providers track and treat bipolar disorder over time. Patients can easily share data collected via smartphone apps – including self-reports, self- ratings, and activity data – with their health care providers and therapists.

Treating Bipolar Disorder: Life Chart

Regular aerobic exercise, such as jogging, brisk walking, swimming, or bicycling, helps with depression and anxiety, promotes better sleep, and is healthy for your heart and brain. There is also some evidence that anaerobic exercise such as weightlifting, yoga, and Pilates can be helpful.

Treating Bipolar Disorder: Regular Exercise

- Regular exercise 
- Keeping a life chart

Syracuse University

Treatment and management of bipolar and related disorders typically involve a comprehensive approach combining multiple strategies. These interventions generally encompass foundational treatment plans, pharmacological treatments (such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants), psychotherapy, specialized medical procedures (such as ECT and TMS), and proactive lifestyle adjustments.

Treatment and Management of Bipolar and Related Disorders

National Institute of Mental Health . (n.d.). Bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder 

Bipolar Disorder

An effective treatment plan for those with bipolar disorder usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy, also called “talk therapy.”

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment can help people manage these symptoms.

Effective Treatment Plans for Bipolar Disorder

Medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers and second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotics. Treatment plans may also include medications that target sleep or anxiety. Health care providers often prescribe antidepressant medication to treat depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, combining the antidepressant with a mood stabilizer to prevent triggering a manic episode.

Treating Bipolar Disorder: Medication 

Psychotherapy is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It can provide support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychoeducation 

Treatment may also include newer therapies designed specifically for the treatment of bipolar disorder:
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) 
- Family-focused therapy

Treating Bipolar Disorder: Psychotherapy

- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)


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