What role do psychotherapists play in helping a person with bipolar disorder?

It’s a question we commonly receive at our practice.

Since Bipolar Disorder can be alleviated very effectively with medication, what is the point of seeing a psychotherapist?

In this article, we will be looking at the role of psychotherapy in bipolar disorder. We will also look to see why psychotherapy is more valuable than you might think.

What a psychotherapist can do

The primary treatment for bipolar disorder will usually be medication. As a result, medication will significantly alleviate the condition and make it possible for the patient to live everyday life.

A lot of people with the help of medication get along comfortably. At the same time, others continue to struggle or won’t regularly take their medication.

The struggle in other areas of Bipolar suffers mental health can lead to not regularly taking their medication creating a vicious cycle in their life.

A psychotherapist can help guide a person who continues to suffer to a better place even with the help of medication.

Education

Medication will always be the primary treatment of Bipolar Disorder. However, some patients don’t regularly take their medication for various reasons. A crucial part of a psychotherapist’s role will be educating and helping patients. They will help them understand the vital importance of regularly taking medication.

The explanation of why the patient needs to take their medication will vary. Usually, the patient learns the huge implications not taking medication can have in every area of their life. It could be how their untreated condition causes great strain and suffering for their loved ones. How it can cause the patient to become manic and downright crazy, potentially destroying everything they hold dear in their life.

A psychologist will also gauge if other mental issues separate from Bipolar Disorder prevent the patient from taking their medication regularly. This leads us to our next point on why a newly diagnosed Bipolar must suffer sit down with a psychotherapist.

Issues separate from bipolar disorder

It’s not uncommon for someone with bipolar disorder to have other mental health issues completely separate from being Bipolar. This is why taking medication for Bipolar Disorder can have ripple effects in a person’s life. As a result, it can alleviate other mental health conditions they’re suffering from.

However, this isn’t always the case. Depression, anxiety, or substance abuse can continue and even prevent a person from regularly taking their medication. That is why at Eclectic Counseling Brooklyn, we always recommend a person who’s newly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder to sit down with a professional even for a few sessions.

Alleviating or completely solving a Bipolar suffers other mental issues can firstly help them live a far more abundant and enjoyable life. You should always make sure they regularly take their medication because it is not uncommon to hear bizarre stories of people who stopped taking their medication and turned utterly manic.

Triggers

Even with regular medication, certain events in a person’s life can trigger Bipolar Disorder because these triggers could be the death of a loved one or a significant world event. However, a trigger isn’t standard for everyone who has Bipolar. A psychotherapist can recognize triggers and help guide the patient through them. If the same trigger arises in the future it will be easier for the patient to move through it and loved ones will have a better idea of how to approach the same situation.

Conclusion

Bipolar disorder can often be effectively managed with dual therapy, medication, and counseling sessions with a psychotherapist.

If you or a loved one are suffering from bipolar disorder and you are located in the New York Area, please contact us at Eclectic Counseling Brooklyn. Our empathetic counselors have years of experience working with bipolar disorders.