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Casino food 101
Over the years, the various gambling games and the gambling joints or the casinos have undergone a change, making the experience riskier, adventurous and unique in itself. An often overlooked, but yet important component in the entire casino...
Electronics Companies: The Leading Edge
As technology becomes more refined, electronics companies are
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products. Following is a rundown of some of the top electronics
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Nokia:...
The History of Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands
These days, many people take wedding bands and engagement rings for granted, and although they give these beautiful items of jewellery with integrity and love, they are often given with no real knowledge of the meaning behind them. Both wedding...
The Jaci Rae Show Interviews Legendary Music Icons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Hope is an award winning artist, #1 nationally best selling
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Xbox Catching Up in 2006
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that consumers demanded for the 2005 holiday season, Microsoft
is expected to manufacture over 2 million of the gaming consoles
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What is the Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
How do we treat bipolar disorder? Specifically, how do we treat mania or depression associated with bipolar disorder? The treatment of these two clinical states is not the same.
The treatment of mania is dependent upon its severity and acuity. For mild to moderate mania, mood stabilizers such as lithium and valproic acid (Valproate) are still the standard of treatment and may be sufficient to contain the symptoms. Lithium starts to work after 10 to 14 days while valproic acid, about 7 to 10 days.
Also, recent studies have shown the effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine even when used alone to treat the acute phase of bipolar disorder.
These drugs are relatively safe but they don’t come without side effects. Nausea, vomiting, tremors, and dizziness during the initial phase of treatment are commonly experienced. The more serious side effects such as renal and thyroid problem from lithium, liver dysfunction and pancreatitis from valproic acid, and increased risk of diabetes and high cholesterol from atypical antipsychotics are uncommon. However, regular blood tests are required to monitor any abnormalities.
For moderate to severe cases, atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone and quetiapine should be added to the mood stabilizers during the acute phase. Once the illness has stabilized and the symptoms have subsided, then the atypical neuroleptics can be gradually tapered off. But the mood stabilizers should continue. Regardless of severity, patients usually do well on a combination of mood stabilizer and atypical antipsychotic during the acute phase.
What is the treatment for bipolar depression? In general, the mood stabilizers’ dosage should be optimized or if the patient is not on any medication yet, a mood stabilizer such as lithium should be started. Physicians
Gass And Black Of Tenacious D Play Not My Job
We've invited Kyle Gass and Jack Black to play a game called "Tenacious D, Meet Tenacious P." We tried to think of the singer who was the diametrical opposite of Tenacious D, and who better than Pat Boone? They'll answer three questions about the cleanest cut guy who ever cut a record.
Americans: A 'Bunch Of Amateurs,' And Proud Of It
In his new book, journalist Jack Hitt says America's amateur spirit goes back to the nation's origins — and it's nothing to be ashamed of. The Europeans viewed the Americans as an "unfinished people," Hitt says. "We were amateur <em>everything</em>." And it's only made the nation better.
should make sure that the medication maintains a “therapeutic level.” If not, the dosage should be adjusted. Moreover, possible precipitants such as stresses at home should be addressed.
If these measures don’t help and the depression is so severe, an antidepressant with the least risk to induce mania such as bupropion should be added to the mood stabilizer. When the depression is resolved, then the antidepressant can be gradually tapered off because its prolonged use even in the presence of mood stabilizer can still induce mania.
When should the medication be discontinued? Bipolar patients have to continue taking the medication for several months even after they become normal. High relapse rate is common if medications are prematurely stopped. Also, for patients with multiple or difficult-to-treat episodes, they may need to take the medication for years or even for life to prevent recurrence.
Patients and their physicians should thoroughly discuss the risk and benefits of any treatment intervention. Knowledge about the drug’s indication, side effects, and prognosis with or without treatment is a must.
Furthermore, it is crucial that bipolar patients should also receive individual psychotherapy to help them deal with the many personal and psychosocial issues they face on a daily basis. As you know, medication alone won’t suffice to address financial problems, marital conflict, work issues, and prior abuse.
In summary, the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best treatment for bipolar disorder.
About the Author
Copyright © 2004. Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: A Personal Development and Emotional Skills Game. For more information, please visit www.oikosgame.com.
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