How to treat Bipolar Disorder - Sarvyoga

This article is based on those people, who are suffering from the Bipolar disorder. Now a day it becomes a serious problem. In our life balance is necessary and which is a great thing. But in the case of a bipolar patient, they are unable to maintain the balance in their life. Keeping their mind in a balanced state is not easy for them. They are unpredictable and have shifty moods. They face many issues and suffer from different periods of depression and enthusiasm.

Across the world, around 50 to 60 million people suffer from this problem which affects them mentally, socially and financially.

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More than 10 million cases of bipolar disorder are seen in India.

Yoga is an alternative healing process which can help to cope up with bipolar disorder. Apart from the general therapy for this disorder, Yogic activities are an outstanding path to treat this disorder.

Yoga helps you to manage this disorder by balancing your mental, physical and spiritual state. So, in this section, we discuss the symptoms, therapy and vital Asana & Pranayama for treating Bipolar disorder.

What is a bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental sickness noted by intense shifts in mood ranging from mania to depression. Manic depression is another name for this disorder. In this disorder, people are unable to manage their everyday tasks, at office or school or in maintaining relationships.

Bipolar disorder affects the brain by acute mood shifts, energy, and activity levels. It commonly occurs due to trauma (like childhood injustice, long-term depression or stress) and genetics.

The mood shifts range from intense hyperactivity to depression and absolute dullness (Occur alternatively or stay for prolonged periods). The hyperactivity period is termed as ‘manic’ and the dull phase is known as ‘depressive’.

Hypomania is different from ‘Manic’. Hypomania is the intermediate stage, in which individually is excitable, more enthusiastic, and attempt his work in a flow by making them more productive. But in Hypomania person does not face any difficulties in performing their daily work. In this, little swing in their mood is notable.

In the manic state, the patient is overexcited, over-enthusiastic and more energetic. By this, they become restless and face difficulties to sleep. As the condition gets worse, the individual has an unrealistic thinking process, gets impulsive and abnormal, and hallucination when the situation is not so good. Manic state is generally followed by a vice versa and depressive state.

Depression is the other side of this disorder. In this condition, the individual (patients) have a completely negative look towards life and this cause anxiety disorders. They think, their life is full of dullness, nobody wants to mingle with them; their life is useless by this, suicidal thinking is wondering in their mind.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

In an emotional high or ‘manic’ state person may engage in behavior such as: –

Unprotected sex.
Usage of drugs.
Impulsive.
Gets easily overexcited.

In a dull or depressive state, an individual may experience: –

Suicidal thinking.
Feeling alone and hopeless.
Less energy level (loss of energy).
Sadness.
Too much sleep or too little amount of sleep.
Not interested in activities.
High level of depression.

So, in simple words we can say that; bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness which is characterized by both state hyperactivity or manic and dull or depressive episodes, or manic ones only.

Types of Bipolar disorder

Bipolar I.
Bipolar II.
Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic disorder.
Rapid- cycling bipolar disorder.

According to modern science, there is no cure, but there are many treatments that can help to cope up with the symptoms.

Here, are some important Psychotherapy treatments given below:-

Psychoeducation: –

It is a kind of counseling which helps the person and their loved ones understand the disorder. In this, the counselor gives more and detailed information about this disorder. That helps the person to manage his/her life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: –

This therapy is a talk therapy. In which counselor and a patient talk about the different ways to cope up with the bipolar disorder. A counselor helps the patient to understand his/her thinking patterns. A counselor also helps to identify the positive coping strategies of an individual.

Interpersonal & social rhythm therapy: –

This therapy mainly focuses on regulating the daily habits of an individual, like eating, exercising and sleeping. This helps to manage bipolar disorder.

Apart from that, there are other treatment options which are available for treating this disorder. Here are some other therapies or technique given below:

Sleep Medications.
Electroconvulsive therapy.
Acupuncture.
Supplements.

Bipolar disorder can also manage by Lifestyle changes, here are some simple steps: –

Learn the technique by which you can recognize mood swings.
Do exercise daily meditation is also helpful.
Take your meal at the right time and make a systematic time for sleeping.
If you are suffering from this problem, then talk to your family & friends to support you.
Keep yourself busy at work.
Reading books and listening to music is good in this.

How Are Yogic activities helpful in bipolar disorder?

When someone is suffering from bipolar disorder, depression and stress is a major component that stimulates acute emotional states. By adding anxiety and which is a worse thing when someone in the manic or depressive stage. Yoga eliminates anxiety and stress easily. Asana Stretch your body and keeps you healthy and it is the best way to deal with this problem.

The organize breathing during poses calms; relax your body as well as the mind. Pranayama & meditation balances your mind and helps you to manage mood swings.

Yoga is helpful to cope up with bipolar disorder. It improves your mental state as well as physical state and makes you deal with this disorder. Asana diverts the mind of the bipolar patient and increases the positive thinking.

Here are some amazing Asana for bipolar disorder, so let’s start.

Breathing exercises for Bipolar disorder

Do meditation regularly for this problem, meditation relaxes and calms your mind and body also.

NOTE

Perform yogic activities in a comfortable environment. You can continue taking your medicines for bipolar disorder along with yoga practice. Ask Yoga expert before doing Yoga and perform all the Asana & Pranayama in front of an expert yoga teacher. We are not saying that yoga is a complete treatment for this disorder, but by performing Asana and Pranayama can manage the symptoms of this disorder.

Remember one thing, there is no specific medicine for bipolar disorder, but in term of medicine sleeping medicine is given by a therapist. But they have side effects and you have to take it for a long time. Yoga not costs you but gives you a lot. there are no side effects of yoga, but performing all the yogic activities in a systematic and in a correct way is necessary for Yoga.