Signs Your Bipolar Meds Are Not Working and What to Do with Treatment
It can be extremely frustrating when a treatment plan seemingly stops working. After all, we made all of this effort to do the right thing and attend to our mental illness in a measured and responsible way, didn’t we? Such feelings of frustration can be especially common when treatment for bipolar disorder stops working. The good news is that there is hope for lasting recovery, even when a certain treatment stops working.
Better Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is rather prevalent in both the United States and other countries around the world. As stated in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, “Epidemiological studies have suggested a lifetime prevalence of around 1% for bipolar type I in the general population. A large cross-sectional survey of 11 countries found the overall lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders was 2.4%, with a prevalence of 0.6% for bipolar type I and 0.4% for bipolar type II.”
Bipolar disorder is one of those mental illnesses that has many different subtypes, ranging from “severe” to more “mild.” However, all of these subtypes can be highly disruptive to daily life.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania or “manic” episodes) to lows (depression or “depressive” episode). A person who has bipolar disorder also experiences changes in their energy, thinking, behavior, and sleep.” Also, “During bipolar mood episodes, it is difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks, go to work or school, and maintain relationships.” Because of this disruption and the potential for bipolar disorder to continue to progress, it is important to get treated as soon as possible.
What Does Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Often Look Like?
The most common way that bipolar disorder is treated is via a combination of therapy (often psychotherapy) and medication. This treatment is often continued long-term.
Meanwhile, as stated by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment can help people manage these symptoms.” This also highlights the importance of continued engagement in therapy and medication management for effective symptom management throughout long-term recovery.
The most common type of psychotherapy that is often used to treat bipolar disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help get to the underlying issues that may have contributed to the development of bipolar disorder. Also, the most common medications that can help prevent the disorder from manifesting out of remission include mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics. These types of medications can help to stop the cycle of mania (or “hypomania”) and depression. Yet, what if this type of treatment plan stops working? Then, it becomes time to take a new approach. However, it is crucial to recognize when your medication may no longer be effective.
What to Do if a Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Stops Working?
The main signs that your bipolar medications are not working include:
- A significant increase or decrease in energy levels
- Sudden mood changes, including rapid shifts between mania and depression
- Trouble sleeping, whether it’s difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early
- Engaging in risky behaviors or actions without considering the consequences
- Physical symptoms such as weight gain, headaches, a rapid heartbeat, or blood sugar issues
As soon as any signs of this begin to happen, we must discuss it honestly with our therapist or primary care physician.
Most often, treatment for bipolar disorder stops working because a medication is either no longer the right one or its dosage is wrong (generally, the dosage is too low). As with any mental illness, medications stop being effective from time to time, and it is not unusual to have changes in medication throughout one’s mental health journey. When medications stop working, the key is not to assume that it is an anomaly and to speak with a professional to fix the medication issue right away. Doing this can be the difference between a short-term issue and a long-term consequence.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness?
The most common type of treatment-resistant mental illness is treatment-resistant depression. Since depression is such a large component of bipolar disorder, it makes sense why many individuals with bipolar disorder may endure treatment resistance for their depressive symptoms.
The main issue with treatment-resistant mental illness is that the medications one uses for their symptoms stop working, or they never effectively worked in the first place. This is why using medication in tandem with therapy is so important. Continued work with a therapist is the best way to find a treatment plan that works.
Other Factors That May Affect Medication Effectiveness
Beyond the effectiveness of the medication itself, other factors can influence how well your treatment works:
- Dehydration: Staying hydrated is essential, especially if you’re taking medications like lithium, which can become dangerously concentrated in your blood if you’re dehydrated.
- New Medical Conditions: Conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can change how your body processes medication, making it less effective.
- Stress Levels: High levels of stress can exacerbate bipolar symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of your medication.
- Sleep Issues: Poor sleep is both a symptom and a trigger for bipolar episodes, and it can also interfere with how well your medication works.
The Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, our maxim is: “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders to celebrate life through lasting solutions.” We bring this level of attention to every one of our clients.
Recovery is a journey, not a destination. The first step of that journey is asking for help.
It is important to know what to do when therapy and medication for bipolar disorder stop working. This may include a therapy (or therapist) that is no longer effective or a medication that needs to be switched or have its dosage modified. It is also important to be open and honest with a therapist or doctor so that bipolar disorder does not fully come out of remission. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right path to long-term recovery. For more information about how to treat bipolar disorder, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
