Article by Terek Shastalon

Many people in the United States have a cursory knowledge of substance abuse therapy, but the popular media’s portrayal of drug rehab does not depict the average addict’s treatment. For the most part, only recovering addicts and their families fully understand the different types of treatment programs available in America. Every program has a specific purpose, but they all use similar therapeutic practices to illicit positive lifestyle changes from drug abusers. The most intense and longest-lasting of these plans is the residential inpatient program, a thirty-to-ninety day stay at a rehabilitation facility with fifty or more hours of intensive therapies per week. Unfortunately, most people do not understand the nature of these therapies and how they help addicts overcome their compulsions. It is important for laypeople to know what to expect during inpatient programs should they ever fall victim to the disease of addiction.

The one to three-month stay at a rehabilitation center is highly structured and supervised. Clinicians create an environment of isolation from compromising situations which would put addicts at risk of relapse. This isolation can be critical, and many healthcare professionals agree that the first thirty days of sobriety are the most important in breaking bad habits and dealing with negative thought patterns. For some patients, even longer periods of isolation are necessary to solidify positive lifestyle changes and develop strategies for coping with the inevitable real-world pressures to use drugs.

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Article by Carlos

Also referred to as manic depression bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by disruptions in mood, from a feeling of crushing depression switching to a high of mania. In some cases, the afflicted person shows the symptom of both depression and mania at the same time. Bipolar disorder is not curable although it can be treated to help the person with the illness gain control of his/her mood episodes. Many factors are considered first before the treatment and foremost of them is an accurate and complete diagnosis. A wrong diagnosis will result in mistreatment that could make the circumstances worse for the patient. Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder It is quite difficult even for a professional medical practitioner to make a diagnosis for bipolar disorder. One problem is that most people with the illness only seek help when they are in the depressive stage. When in manic or elevated mood they tend not to realize the problem and thus would not think of seeking any help. The typical diagnostic exams given for bipolar disorder are psychological evaluation, medical history and physical exam. A psychological evaluation involves three key components that will determine the diagnosis: the symptoms, the trajectory or pattern of the illness, and family history. A complete medical history of the person is required by the doctor in order to rule out other factors that do not necessarily contribute to the disorder. Physical exam includes blood tests, Thyroid profile, EEG and CT and MRI scan of the brain. Classes of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder I – This is the most severe type where the affected person experiences manic episodes and/or episodes of major depression. Bipolar disorder II • The disorder is characterized by a hypomanic episode which is a lesser form of mania and also at least one major depressive episode. Those with this type of disorder are at most risk of committing suicide because their depressive episodes are more intense than the manic episodes. Cyclothymia – The individual who suffers from this illness had both episodes of both hypomania and mild depression or what is termed as dysthymic in medical language. A bipolar disorder cannot be diagnosed as cyclothymia if there is a history of manic or major depression. The Treatment The treatment for bipolar disorder is focused on effective long term management of the condition and restoring back to normal the person’s mood when he/she is experiencing an episode. The most effective method of treating bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and therapy. Medication Mood stabilizers, notably lithium is commonly prescribed by the physician for all types of bipolar disorder before any other drug. It has been proven effective but not for all. Antidepressants are prescribed only when the person is in a depressed mood and should not be taken in a manic episode. The drug Prozac is an example of an antidepressant. Anticonvulsant drugs are administered orally for the control of seizures particularly on manic episodes. Valproic acid is one type of this medicine. It is important to note that the drugs used for bipolar disorder medications have significant side effects including weight gain. Also, they should be taken with the prescription of a competent physician. Therapies Medication alone is not effective if not combined with some form of therapy, and neither is therapy alone can be effective if not combined with medication. Here are some therapies for treating bipolar disorder: Behavioral therapy- This therapy involves the psychiatrist or a trained specialist determining a patient• s negative behavior that causes stress and make his life miserable, and replacing the undesirable behavior with a positive one. Cognitive therapy – While behavior therapy replaces negative behavior with positive ones, cognitive therapy identifies and modify thinking patterns associated with mood shifts. Interpersonal therapy – Aims to reduce the stress on the patient by focusing on his interactions with the important people in his life and solving whatever interpersonal problems that exist between them. Social Rhythm therapy – The gist of the therapy is to help the patient get back and manage his day to day activities such as sleep schedule, house work, exercise or doing shopping.

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Article by Dr.Rich

An Inpatient of Outpatient Treatment Center

When looking for a drug treatment center for drug detox or help with a drug problem, first decide on the level of treatment you need. Going into a hospital or facility is both expensive and traumatic for most people; it only begins the process of recovery. These days, more drug treatment is being done on an outpatient basis, and this makes a lot of sense because treatment of addiction is a long-term process.

Don’t go blindly to any one place for help. Your personal physician is a great place to start and can help you decide whether you need to be admitted to the hospital. Physicians have good contacts in their community and know who to go to and places to avoid. Their experience with therapists and their knowledge of psychiatrists in the area can make a difference in your decision. Avoiding hospitalization is not always the correct path, but doing so will save thousands of dollars and avoid having to miss work or other obligations.

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Bipolar depression is one term for what’s formally called bipolar disorder, and used to be called manic depressive illness. Most of us have heard of it at some point, and you may be wondering if it’s responsible for your mood swings or difficulties relating to others. You might also be worried about a friend or family member. However, the signs of bipolar disorder also resemble those of several other disorders, so it can be hard to tell on your own. Even mental health personnel can have trouble diagnosing this disorder because it overlaps with so many other illnesses.

About half of people eventually diagnosed as being bipolar see three or more mental health professionals before they get a good diagnosis, with about a third of them receiving their diagnosis more than ten years after looking for treatment. That can make dealing with bipolar depression and manic phases even harder. People who suffer from this disease may be misdiagnosed as and treated for depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia or ADHD.

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Summary

The industry analysis specialist’s new report, “Bipolar Disorder – Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2015″ is an essential source of information and analysis on the global bipolar disorder market. The report identifies the key trends shaping and driving the dynamism in the global bipolar disorder market. The report also provides insight on the prevalent competitive landscape and the emerging players expected to bring significant shift in the market positioning of the existing market leaders. Most importantly, the report provides valuable insight on the pipeline products within the global bipolar disorder sector.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in house analysis by GlobalData’s team of industry experts.

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The industry analysis specialist’s new report, “Bipolar Disorder – Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2015″ is an essential source of information and analysis on the global bipolar disorder market. The report identifies the key trends shaping and driving the dynamism in the global bipolar disorder market. The report also provides insight on the prevalent competitive landscape and the emerging players expected to bring significant shift in the market positioning of the existing market leaders. Most importantly, the report provides valuable insight on the pipeline products within the global bipolar disorder sector.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in house analysis by GlobalData’s team of industry experts.

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I think i might have bipolar disorders. I’ve never done drugs before but at times i feel really high. like nothing in the world can go wrong, really energetic, talkative, really connected to people (which i’ve read is experienced in an ectasty high). YHet i don’t experience a crash which seems to be inconsistent with the bipolar part of bipolar disorder. does that sound like bipolar and can bipolar be compared to a drug high? if so which one? thanks

I just wanted to learn a little about these drugs before going to my sons Dr. appointment. They might not even come up but I would like to get some information on them. Also if people with Bipolar can have a normal life maybe with out drug therpy and just therpy? I know this is a wide range question depending on a persons situation. Some say drugs can numb feelings and not get to the root of the problem, others say with out them maybe they wouldn’t exist. I feel Bipolar and depression are so hard to understand but as a mom I need to, then again just trying to understand a teenager w/ raging hormones is difficult. I know Its harder now then when I was in school, there are so many more pressures. Sometimes I think as adults we need to take a step back and remember how it was . [and then times that by 2 in todays world] So any infomation out there would be greatly appreatied. Thanks!

I would stop the minute I knew I was pregnant but I wonder that since the manufacturers don’t know if anyone can tell me please.