Bipolar Disorder and Nursing

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), Bipolar Disorder is characterized by unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity. These shifts are extreme and are beyond normal shifts in mood, impairing the ability for the patient to maintain relationships including difficulty maintaining work. Half of all cases present initially at the age of 25 while cases in childhood are rare. The prevalence rate of bipolar disorder is 2.6% of the adult population, with 82.9% of those cases considered severe, 55.5% are receiving treatment by healthcare (NIMH, 2005). Like all mental health diseases, diagnosis is complex and finding the right combination of medication and treatment is a long and deliberate process. Valid assessment and comfort of the patient to be honest with the treatment team are essential. 

Qualitative research methods on the treatment of bipolar disorder from the nursing perspective identified five key problems: Nonacceptance of the illness, social problems, work problems, relational challenges, and mood instability (Moller, 2011). Nursing interventions include, “Includes providing information and education, support and counseling then the development of action plans, and monitoring medication adherence and response” (Moller, 2011). Other nursing interventions for bipolar patients is a constant assessment of the level of moods using a scale that is understandable by both the nurse and the patient. Further, nurses must emphasize the proper role of medications as addressing some of the symptoms, but medication is only part of the treatment. Engagement in a bipolar support group encourages treatment compliance and expands the network of resources beyond burned out families. The nurse’s role is to support integral to an interdisciplinary care approach for treating bipolar disorder. Health humanities therapy has proven beneficial. The team consists of the physician, nurse, and care manager. Together the teams’ goal is to ensure the patient is honest with their feelings and the effectiveness of treatment. This is essential in relapse management (Moller, 2011).

References

Moller, M. (2011, March 15). Treatment decisions in bipolar disorder: Nursing perspective. www.medscape.org. Retrieved from www.medscape.org/viewarticle/718206

NIMH (2005). Bipolar disorder. NIMH Home. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtm