Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. It is not yet curable, but medication, therapy, and other strategies can help manage the symptoms and reduce its effects on a person’s daily life.
Without treatment, bipolar disorder may cause mood episodes. People may alternate between high periods, known as manic episodes, and low periods, or depressive episodes.
During a manic episode, a person may feel happy, energetic, or invincible. During a depressive episode, they may feel sad, have low energy, and withdraw socially.
In this article, we explore whether bipolar disorder is curable. We also discuss how doctors and patients manage the condition.
To date, scientists have neither identified the cause of bipolar disorder nor found a cure. However, people with the condition can experience long periods during which they have few or no symptoms, which can improve quality of life.
Bipolar disorder
With the right help, some people with bipolar disorder may have a stable mood for extended periods. However, everyone responds differently to treatment, and it may take time to find the regimen that works best.
Some people do not get to the point of having no symptoms at all, but this does not mean treatment is not working. It is essential not to blame the individual for this, as different individuals have different experiences of bipolar. Recurring mood episodes are common for many people.
Treatment for bipolar disorder usually involves a combination of medication and talk therapy. Some medications that doctors may prescribe
- mood stabilizers, such as lithium or valproate
- atypical antipsychotics, such as lurasidone (Latuda) or quetiapine
- antidepressants, although people with bipolar disorder must also take other mood stabilizers alongside them, as taking them alone could cause mania
Types of talk therapy for helping manage bipolar disorder include:
- interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
- cognitive behavioral therapy, which may help with depression or insomnia
- dialectical behavioral therapy
- family-focused psychotherapy
The most effective talk therapy type will vary from person to person. A test-and-learn approach helps with all aspects of treatment for bipolar disorder. It is often necessary to try various treatments to find the one that works best.
Some people also try additional treatments, such as light therapy, which may help people whose symptoms worsen in winter, similar to seasonal affective depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is another option for depression.
In severe cases, or when other treatments have not worked, doctors may consider electroconvulsive therapy.
Once a person with bipolar disorder has found the right combination of treatments, consistency is important. Sticking to a treatment plan may reduce the severity and recurrence of mood episodes.
However, the long-term management of bipolar disorder also requires self-care. For example, keeping track of one’s mood may help a person avoid triggers or spot early symptoms.
The United Kingdom charity, Mind, suggests:
- recording a person’s mood over time in a diary or tracker
- looking for any patterns in the symptoms, which may help identify triggers
- learning the early signs of an episode and letting loved ones know them too
- creating a plan for what to do if an episode begins
People can also take proactive steps to look after their well-being, such as:
- getting enough sleep
- eating a nutritious diet
- getting regular exercise
- maintaining a consistent routine
- learning techniques for managing stress
- building positive relationships or a support network
Mindful activities, such as yoga or meditation, may also help a person check in with themselves regularly.
Mood changes due to bipolar disorder may not always be avoidable. However, over time, a person may become better at recognizing the early signs of mood changes and develop strategies to reduce their effects.
A doctor cannot offer a cure for bipolar disorder, but they can support a person with the condition to manage their symptoms.
If their current treatment plan is not working, individuals can speak with a doctor about trying different:
- medications
- talk therapies
- support groups
Working together with a trusted doctor is the best way to find the right combination of treatments. Effective, consistent treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of mood episodes.
Tell a doctor immediately if there are early signs that a mood shift is beginning.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental health condition that affects a person’s mood. It does not currently have a cure, but treatment can reduce the number or frequency of mood shifts.
With treatment, a person with bipolar disorder may have extended periods without severe mood episodes, during which they may experience few or no symptoms.
However, not everyone with bipolar disorder is symptom-free. Every person with the condition has a different experience of treatment and management.
If someone continues to experience severe mood episodes during treatment, it is important to emphasize that it is not their fault. Continuing to engage with treatment and self-care is the best way to reduce the effects.
