Can You Stop Your Bipolar Medication? – Maybe Here’s How

The video addresses a viewer's question about stopping bipolar medication. It explains bipolar disorder, its treatment, and findings from the STEP BD study. The video discusses managing bipolar disorder without medication, the role of psychotherapy, and introduces interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. It concludes with recommendations on medication use.

What is the average duration of a depressive episode in bipolar disorder?

• 1 to 2 years

• 6 to 9 months

• 2 to 4 months

• 3 to 5 weeks

According to the STEP BD study, what percentage of people with bipolar disorder fully recover between episodes?

• 75%

• 58%

• 49%

• 62%

What is the 'kindling effect' in the context of bipolar disorder?

• A method to increase medication dosage

• A therapy technique for managing episodes

• The cumulative effect of untreated episodes making future episodes harder to treat

• A type of medication used for bipolar disorder

Which therapy is specifically developed for bipolar disorder to help manage daily routines?

• Exposure Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is a common early sign of a manic episode approaching?

• Increased social withdrawal

• Loss of appetite

• Decreased need for sleep

• Increased need for sleep

What is the main focus of interpersonal therapy for bipolar disorder?

• Increasing medication adherence

• Addressing relationship problems and daily routines

• Enhancing cognitive skills

• Improving physical health

What is the goal of using the social rhythm metric in therapy?

• To increase physical exercise

• To reduce the number of therapy sessions

• To track and maintain consistent daily activities

• To increase the number of meals per day