Non-Medication Treatments

Psychotherapy, commonly called 'talking therapy', used in combination with medication has been shown to be more effective in treating a number of mental disorders than either treatment alone. Psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers and other healthcare providers are often trained in different forms of psychotherapy. The type used will depend on the patient's personal and medical history.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognition refers to knowing or thinking. What we know or think about something affects how we respond to it. Cognitive behavioral therapy tries to help people become more aware of their faulty or negative thinking patterns and teaches them to think about things in new and healthier ways.

Behavioral therapy is a talking therapy aimed at encouraging patients to do certain activities; it teaches problem solving strategies, methods for self-control, and social learning activities.

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy is talking therapy aimed at helping people cope with life's changes and losses. Therapists help you to develop skills to understand the effects of change and grief, while helping you to develop healthy patterns to deal with change and loss.

Marital Therapy, Family Therapy

Bipolar disorder can be challenging for the whole family. When close family members understand the illness they are better able to work together to give and receive the type of help each family member needs. Finding a marital or family therapist who understands the illness and its effects on relationships can give you the chance to learn strategies other families and couples have used to help them live healthy, fulfilled lives with this illness. Learning from others can save heartache and confusion as for people learning to cope with Bipolar Disorder.