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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
Other Treatment
Most children who have bipolar disorder need medicine. But other forms of treatment used along with medicine play an important role in balancing mood and improving quality of life. Counseling, education about the disorder, and stress reduction can help.
Other treatment choices
Reference Counseling Opens New Window along with medicine has been used effectively to manage bipolar disorder. Types of therapy that counselors use to treat bipolar disorder include:
- Reference Cognitive-behavioral therapy Opens New Window, which focuses on modifying certain thinking and behavior patterns.
- Reference Interpersonal therapy Opens New Window, which focuses on social and personal relationships and related problems.
- Reference Problem-solving therapy Opens New Window, a type of cognitive therapy that helps you find immediate solutions to problems.
- Reference Family therapy Opens New Window, which can help educate and support the entire family.
- Reference Play therapy Opens New Window for very young children.
- Psychological education and support groups.
- Reference Dialectical-behavioral therapy Opens New Window, which focuses on building skills to manage mood swings.
In some cases, Reference electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Opens New Window may be an option. In this procedure, brief electrical stimulation to the brain is given through electrodes placed on the head. The stimulation produces a short seizure that is thought to balance brain chemicals.
Complementary therapy
Complementary medicine is a term used for a wide variety of health care practices that may be used along with standard medical treatment. Reference Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils have been getting some attention as a possible complementary treatment of bipolar disorder. But more research is needed to prove the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in treating this condition in children, teens, and adults.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 16, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Reference David A. Axelson, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
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