How to Get Bipolar Disorder Medication

Who Can Prescribe Bipolar Disorder Medication?

Medication is a crucial component of a bipolar treatment plan — but not just anyone should prescribe it for you. While it’s true that, yes, virtually any doctor can prescribe meds to treat bipolar disorder, mental health professionals can offer the best advice regarding care, including which medication might be most effective for your specific condition. 

Psychiatrists are licensed, fully trained doctors who specialize and train in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. They have years of training and experience and are current on the latest research and best mood disorder treatment methods. Psychiatrists have a thorough understanding of both the psychological and biological aspects of bipolar disorder. They can assess the severity of symptoms and help you decide on a medication that can change everything.  

The Process of Getting Bipolar Disorder Medication

Bipolar disorder can be a tricky condition to treat, and the process isn’t one-size-fits-all. Learning how to get medication for bipolar disorder isn’t as difficult as you might think, though. It begins with finding the right psychiatrist and getting a formal assessment. Once you’re diagnosed, your doctor will have a conversation with you about medication. 

You may need to try a variety of medications before you find what’s most effective for your bipolar symptoms. Mood stabilizer medications are often the go-to. They become a vital part of controlling the hypomanic or manic episodes that are common in bipolar. Other common meds include atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medication.  

Finally, once you and your doctor decide which medication to try, you’ll start on a comprehensive treatment plan and carefully monitor your progress to see if it’s working. 

It’s usually helpful to go into the process understanding that you might need to revise, adjust, and change medications. Just try to remember, as we noted earlier, the end result — getting your life back — is worth the effort it takes to get there. 

1. Talking to a healthcare professional

It’s crucial to find the right doctor as you navigate how to get medication for bipolar disorder. You want to work with a psychiatrist you trust and can open up to, as being honest about your symptoms and experience with bipolar disorder is critical to treating your condition as effectively as possible. Building a solid relationship with a mental health professional will ensure your path to stability. If you don’t have a psychiatrist or are having trouble finding one, ask your primary care physician for a referral. 

When you first talk to your doctor about bipolar disorder, be sure to cover the full spectrum of your experience. Bipolar disorder is a condition that can cause volatile mood swings, going from extreme highs during a manic episode to deep lows of a depressive episode. 

Whether manic or depressive episodes happen every few months or rarely, discussing both with your doctor is vital. Effectively treating bipolar disorder means finding the right combination of drugs and therapy to address all the symptoms and episodes you have.

As you discuss your mood disorder symptoms, your psychiatrist will likely ask you a range of questions, including things about:

• Family history
• Medication history
• Symptoms 
• Responses to previously used meds
• Other comorbid (coexisting) conditions you have
• Past trauma
• Substance use or abuse
• Your goals for treatment

Sometimes, with your permission, your doctor might ask family members or close friends about your symptoms. They also might have you do something known as mood charting, where you track your mood swing instances, sleep habits, and other factors that may help with diagnosis and treatment. 

2. Getting a psychiatric evaluation

Psychiatric evaluations are a big part of the equation when putting together a bipolar disorder treatment plan. The evaluation will be part of a comprehensive assessment that becomes the foundation for reaching your treatment goals. 

During the psych evaluation, your psychiatrist will first conduct an interview. They’ll delve into your personal and family medical history, both factors that will significantly influence diagnosis and treatment direction. The interview and assessment process will also include standardized questionnaires and rating scales that help mental health professionals gauge the severity of behavioral patterns and mood fluctuations that are common with bipolar disorder.

There are several bipolar disorder assessment tools used, including, but not limited to:

Diagnostic tools:

• Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID)
• Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS)

Measuring severity of symptoms tools:

• Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) 
• Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale (MAS) 

It’s important to note transparency is important to this part of the process. Offering honest insights about how your condition impacts your life will help you get the most effective personalized care plan.

3. Discussing medication options

The next step in how to get bipolar medication is having a discussion with your psychiatrist about the options available to you. They’ll go over various types of mood stabilizers and drugs and when they’d be appropriate — keep in mind, treating a manic episode is very different from treating bipolar-related depression. They’ll also cover significant side effects to be aware of and the benefits you might be able to expect with any of the meds. 

4. Getting your bipolar disorder treatment plan

The journey toward managing bipolar disorder can be long and arduous, but patience and understanding the process will help you get through it. Finding the most effective, comprehensive treatment plan hinges on working closely with your psychiatrist and any other mental health provider to get a personalized care plan that addresses all of your symptoms. 

Bipolar treatment is generally a combined approach that relies on:

• Medication
• Therapy for bipolar disorder
• Lifestyle modifications

Remember that, as with any mental health condition, treating bipolar isn’t a static process. It’s dynamic and must be responsive to your given needs, which may change over time. Communication with your doctor is pivotal to ensuring your plan works as intended. 

Regular follow-ups, tracking your mood and behavior, monitoring medication side effects, and adhering to your plan as closely as possible will all be critical factors in how successful you are in treating bipolar disorder.

Obtaining Bipolar Disorder Medication without Insurance

Facing any medical or mental health condition without health insurance can be overwhelming. However, learning how to get bipolar medication without insurance is possible. There are paths you can take to get affordable care that includes therapy and medication. 

Tips for how to get bipolar medication without insurance at an affordable cost include:

• Ask for generic medication
• Pharmacy shop to find cheaper prices — drug costs can widely vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, even for the same medication
• Look for Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) — look for comprehensive directories of PAPs
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about manufacturer discounts or coupon cards
• Look into community health centers or clinics in your area, which often offer sliding scale fees for care and might help you find affordable medication options
• Check out online platforms like Talkspace for care that can be more affordable than traditional in-person care options near you

Find Bipolar Disorder Medication with Talkspace Psychiatry

Talkspace makes getting help for bipolar disorder convenient, easy, and affordable. We offer a seamless path that connects you to qualified, experienced, licensed psychiatrists and other mental health providers. With Talkspace, you can get the care and medication you need to treat bipolar disorder — or any mental health condition you’re living with and trying to manage. 

We make getting therapy and medication easier than ever by removing the traditional barriers that prevent people from seeking care. No travel to appointments, no waiting rooms, and more affordable care — all from the convenience of anywhere with an internet connection. Our secure platform offers privacy and top-notch care from professionals who are ready to help. 

Reach out today to get matched with an online psychiatrist who can help you get on bipolar medication that works for you.