Brief Answer:
there is no rule but individual pattern can be see

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is not a dictum.
Any episode- either depressive or mania can follow each other or repeat itself in bipolar disorder.

Sometimes, patients with bipolar disorder have a set pattern- where they have repeated episodes of depression following following mania.

So, it is not a set pattern but every patient has his own predispositions. Like- a bipolar patient may just have all episodes of mania and none of depression.
These individual tendencies have a great role to play in deciding their managment plan.

Hope the reply is useful.
Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

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Brief Answer:
CBT is helpful with drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are very right in the sense that patients with bipoar disorder can surely help themselves.
But dont misunderstand that anything can replace the importance and need of medicine treatment.

Anything and everything- CBT or lifestyle managment or incresed stress coping ..all help to get well with less drugs and improve functionality.

Yes, CBT can be helpful in case of bipolar patients by
- reducing the number of relapse,
- it encourages the patient to have regular follow up meetings with doctor,
- motivates patient to have drug compliance..

All these things improve with CBT and there is some control over mood fluctuations-- that makes patient get well soon.

The lesser the number of episodes in bipolar patient the better the outcome!!

So, if possible please enter into therapy, have a healthy life style and learn to let-go minor things in life...i.e., not to take stresses in life very seriously.

Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

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