| It is a common question amongst bipolar | | | | The results showed that the active elders had |
| sufferers and their loved ones. What are non | | | | better mental skills and memory, and even |
| medication treatments for depression in | | | | that their brains were more active as well. |
| bipolar? Are there any? Popular belief is | | | | They then did the crucial follow-up test: |
| that bipolar disorder can only be controlled | | | | they divided a group of elders into two |
| by a lifetime regime of strong medication. | | | | groups, one which participated in an aerobic |
| | | | exercise program, and one which did not. They |
| The answer to the question is a resounding | | | | have found that the group which exercised |
| yes. Several non-medication approaches have | | | | increased their brain size compared to the |
| now been shown to be of benefit when added to | | | | sedentary control group, in the brain regions |
| the conventional medications for depression | | | | which are known to shrink when people have |
| in bipolar. Mood stabilizer tactics and | | | | mood problems. . Extrapolating just slightly |
| therapies are now emerging and being slowly | | | | from these results, we now have preliminary |
| embraced by some mental health practitioners. | | | | evidence that exercise, like other effective |
| Regulating daily schedules and patterns of | | | | antidepressants, can reverse brain shrinkage. |
| sleep, using light therapy and implementing | | | | |
| regular exercise programs are now included as | | | | Although it may be difficult for a depressed |
| treatments for some bipolar patients. | | | | person to think about exercising, even a |
| | | | regular walk can have the desired effect. |
| Non Medication Treatments for depression in | | | | Most people, however depressed, can still |
| bipolar | | | | walk. Walking has the absolute best record |
| | | | for easy access. The Harvard Bipolar Program |
| · Maintaining a regular daily schedule. | | | | leader, Dr. Sachs, says "here's your exercise |
| One approach that is crucial for some | | | | program: go to the door, look at your watch. |
| patients with bipolar disorder is to maintain | | | | Walk 7.5 minutes in any direction, then turn |
| a regular daily schedule, especially regular | | | | around and walk home. Do that 5 days a week |
| patterns of sleep. One such therapy is | | | | at least." And that's it. |
| organized around the daily schedule idea, in | | | | |
| particular having a regular time to go to | | | | · Specialised Psychotherapies For Bipolar. |
| sleep, and a regular time to wake up and get | | | | In April 2007 a major research program |
| out of bed. | | | | published their results showing that when the |
| | | | three psychotherapies listed below were added |
| · Light Therapy. A recent study published | | | | to mood stabilizer treatment for bipolar |
| in Canada showed that approximately 100 | | | | patients experiencing significant depression, |
| patients with winter affective depression | | | | the patients recovered more quickly and more |
| were randomly assigned to Prozac or a | | | | were likely to stay well. |
| standard light box. There was equal | | | | |
| improvement in both groups, with the light | | | | - Bipolar-specific cognitive behavioral |
| box marginally faster in lowering depression | | | | therapy |
| scores. | | | | |
| | | | - Interpersonal therapy with social rhythm |
| This means that the light therapy is as good | | | | therapy |
| as the standard antidepressant approach, but | | | | |
| has fewer side effects and less overall risk. | | | | - Family-focused therapy (for patients with |
| | | | family who could join in treatment) |
| If you're not familiar with light therapy, | | | | |
| basically one sits in front of a box the size | | | | The problem is finding a therapist who can |
| of a small suitcase (smaller ones now | | | | provide one of these treatments. |
| available) which emits a lot of light, for | | | | |
| about 30 minutes to start, and as little as | | | | Currently, these psychotherapies are |
| 15 minutes or less later to stay well through | | | | primarily found in large treatment programs |
| the winter. | | | | that have adopted one or more of the new |
| | | | methods. For those interested in sourcing a |
| · Regular Exercise. The data showing that | | | | sympathetic therapist, the internet is a good |
| exercise can actually treat depression has | | | | place to start. |
| been pretty good for a long while. It is well | | | | |
| documented that depression can cause brain | | | | There is no doubt that the non medication |
| shrinkage, and that effective treatments can | | | | treatments for depression in bipolar are |
| stop and at least partially reverse that | | | | making a difference to the quality of life |
| shrinkage. A recent study by a research team | | | | for some bipolar sufferers. They are able to |
| at the University of Illinois compared people | | | | wean off high doses of antidepressants, and |
| with an average age of 67 who were physically | | | | also benefit from the positive side effects |
| active to those who were less active. | | | | of good sleep patterns, exercise and light |
| | | | therapy. |