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→Treatment of bipolar disorder: spelling, more on art and treatment
==Treatment of bipolar disorder==
==Treatment of bipolar disorder==
Bipolar individuals can certainly lead a normal and largely happy life, and have often been leaders in politics, science and the arts. Famous bipolar individuals include [[Winston Churchill]], [[Buzz Aldrin]], [[Spike Milligan]], [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Tim Burton]], among many others.<ref>[http://www.bipolarrollercoaster.co.uk/famous%20bipolars-.htm Bipolar Roller coaster].</ref>
Bipolar individuals can certainly lead a normal and largely happy life, and have often been leaders in politics, science and the arts. Famous bipolar individuals include [[Winston Churchill]], [[Buzz Aldrin]], [[Spike Milligan]], [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Tim Burton]], among many others.<ref>[http://www.bipolarrollercoaster.co.uk/famous%20bipolars-.htm Bipolar Roller coaster].</ref> A link between bipolar disorder and the arts is often debated, as many famous artists and musicians (including [[Beethoven]], [[Vincent Van Gogh]], [[Emily Dickinson]], and [[Kurt Cobain]]) have suffered from the condition.
Traditional long term treatment frequently involves the [[prescription]] of mood-stabilising [[drugs]], especially [[lithium]], which prevent the likelihood of manic episodes, and [[psychiatry|psychiatric]] assessments to determine the well being of the patient and whether the [[medication]] is required. Recently, a nutritional supplement has been used to treat bipolar patients (or greatly reduce their need for medication). The supplement was featured in several psychiatric journals<ref>[http://www.naturalnews.com/023071.html NaturalNews.com]</ref> and ''Discover'' magazine positively reported on the supplement.<ref>[http://discovermagazine.com/2005/may/vitamin-cure/article_view?searchterm=vitamin%20cure&b_start:int=0 Freinkel, Susan. "Vitamin Cure". ''Discover'']</ref> However, [[Health Canada]], the department responsible for national public health in [[Canada]] (where the creator of the supplement is located), has issued warnings about using the supplement,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/06/09/empower_030609.html "Health Canada warns against EM Power". CBC.ca]</ref> cautioning against potential health risks and citing nine reports of serious adverse reactions.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2007/03/01/empowerplus.html "Health Canada issues fresh warning on supplement". CBC.ca]</ref><ref>[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2007/2007_17-eng.php Health Canada]</ref>
Traditional long term treatment frequently involves the [[prescription]] of mood-stabilizing [[drugs]], especially [[lithium]], which prevent the likelihood of manic episodes, and [[psychiatry|psychiatric]] assessments to determine the well being of the patient and whether the [[medication]] is required. More recently, anticonvulsants such as Depakote, Tegretol, and Lamictal are used as mood stabilizers. If the patient experiences psychotic symptoms (e.g. paranoia, delusions, and/or hallucinations), anti-psychotic drugs are used.
Recently, a nutritional supplement has been used to treat bipolar patients (or greatly reduce their need for medication). The supplement was featured in several psychiatric journals<ref>[http://www.naturalnews.com/023071.html NaturalNews.com]</ref> and ''Discover'' magazine positively reported on the supplement.<ref>[http://discovermagazine.com/2005/may/vitamin-cure/article_view?searchterm=vitamin%20cure&b_start:int=0 Freinkel, Susan. "Vitamin Cure". ''Discover'']</ref> However, [[Health Canada]], the department responsible for national public health in [[Canada]] (where the creator of the supplement is located), has issued warnings about using the supplement,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/06/09/empower_030609.html "Health Canada warns against EM Power". CBC.ca]</ref> cautioning against potential health risks and citing nine reports of serious adverse reactions.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2007/03/01/empowerplus.html "Health Canada issues fresh warning on supplement". CBC.ca]</ref><ref>[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2007/2007_17-eng.php Health Canada]</ref>
As a last resort, electro-convulsive therapy (ECT, aka "electroshock therapy") is used. This process is characterized by the creation of seizures through electric shock. While often associated with horror movies and the abuses present at the beginning of [[psychology]], today the procedure is done in a medical setting where the patient is under anesthesia. Due to its dangerous nature with regard to memory and cognition, the procedure is only done when all medication has failed and at the consent of the patient (though some jurisdictions allow the court system to mandate the procedure).
It is important to note that many bipolar individuals resist medical treatment due to the "high" induced by mania. This is a dangerous action, as unmanaged mania often results in [[drug abuse|drug]] and [[alcohol abuse]], hallucinations, and [[violence]] toward oneself and others.
==External Links==
==External Links==