Bipolar disorder requires continued lifelong treatment which includes a combination of talk therapy, medication, and support – even during the times in your life when you feel fine. Maintenance is key to effectively managing the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Those who skip maintenance treatment have a higher chance of relapsing or becoming manic or depressed. That is why even something as simple as a house call (home visit) from a medical professional is ideal for maintaining optimum mental health.
How Can a Nurse Practitioner Help with My Bipolar Disorder?
The treatment of bipolar disorder – also called manic depression – during a house call is highly individualized. The approach will depend on the patient’s current condition and comfort level.
Since bipolar disorder is complex treatment will involve a combination of solution-focused psychotherapy and medication-assisted therapy. In every house call, a nurse practitioner focuses on solutions, with the goal being effective crisis management.
The nurse practitioner will first employ psychotherapy, which may include family members and not just the patient.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Some examples of psychotherapy are:
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
IPSRT focuses on establishing daily rhythms which help with stabilizing moods. It also involves sticking to consistent sleeping patterns, waking patterns, mealtimes, and exercise schedules.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT focuses on identifying unhealthy beliefs and negative thinking patterns. Then replace those negative thoughts with healthy beliefs and positive thinking patterns.
This allows you to identify triggers for your bipolar disorder. This way, you can also create strategies to help you manage frustrations and stress.
Psychoeducation
So, psychoeducation involves learning more about the disorder to help you gain a better understanding of it. And this can help to empower you to take control of your condition.
While this usually helps patients stick to their treatment plan and avoid relapse. However, family members are also encouraged to take part in psychoeducation. That way they can aid you when bipolar symptoms arise.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
The nurse practitioner will also likely use medication-assisted treatment for your manic depression. Some examples of medication used in this therapy are:
Antidepressants
These medications are prescribed to tamp down depression. To avoid manic episodes, mood stabilizers or antipsychotics may be added.
Antipsychotics
Second, this class of drugs helps when bipolar patients experience depression or mania that is not responding to other medication. Also, they may augment with mood stabilizers.
Mood Stabilizers
And mood stabilizers help to control manic or hypomanic flare-ups in a patient with bipolar disorder, helping the person to feel more normal.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Because of their often addictive nature, anti-anxiety medications are for short-term use. They help reduce feelings of anxiety, allowing patients to think normally and sleep normally.
Nurse Practitioner Offering Psychiatric House Calls in Manhattan
Dr. Raymond Zakhari, NP of Metro Medical Direct – The Adult Health Nurse Practitioner of New York, provides personalized services to help individuals with bipolar disorder. He offers integrative care, where he addresses your physical, mental, and emotional health in the comfort of your own home.
By making house calls (visits) to patients in Manhattan, he can provide expert crisis management and practical solutions in treating bipolar disorder. Dr. Zakhari wants you to know that no subject is off-limits in your home. He believes that the best environment for treating patients is in their homes because it is where they are most comfortable. In a moment of crisis, Dr. Zakhari will come to you and give you the medical attention you need.
Dr. Zakhari’s extensive training in family practice and psychiatric disease management makes him an expert at crisis intervention. For a private, convenient, and affordable medical visit in your Manhattan hotel or home, call us today at (917) 484-2709 or request an appointment online. We look forward to taking care of you.
Also, check out Dr. Zakhari’s Podcast The Psychology of it All here. Also available on Apple Podcasts.
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