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Bipolar disorder is a mental condition characterized by sudden changes of mood that range from soaring highs to depressive lows. People who suffer from this condition may have difficulty maintaining relationships and holding down a job. It can cause them to be unable to function and carry out the simplest of tasks.
Unfortunately, there is no ‘cure’ for bipolar disorders, but there are ways to treat it and keep it under control including intensive outpatient treatment for bipolar disorder. Read on to find out more about the condition and how to keep it from taking over your life.
Formerly called manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme highs (mania or hypomania) and bottomless lows (depression). When experiencing mania, individuals will be highly energetic, euphoric and even irritable. When depressed, they may be unable to get out of bed and they may even be suicidal.
Mood swings can occur every so often or many times a year. Some may experience symptoms between episodes and for others, they can come on suddenly, seemingly unprovoked.
Bipolar disorder can not be cured and requires lifelong management to keep it under control. This can include a combination of outpatient bipolar treatment and medications.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are different types of bipolar disorder, and they vary in the symptoms they produce. They include the following:
Bipolar I Disorder: People with bipolar I disorder have experienced at least one episode of mania accompanied by depression. This may have been accompanied by unrealistic thought patterns and delusions.
Bipolar II Disorder: Individuals with bipolar II disorder have had at least one depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode but they have never experienced mania.
Cyclothymic Disorder: This condition involves at least two years (or one year in children and adolescents) of continuing episodes of hypomania and depression with depression never becoming severe.
Other Types of Bipolar Disorder: Other types of bipolar disorders include those brought on by drugs and alcohol or a medical condition.
Mania and Hypomania
Mania and hypomania are terms used to describe the highs people with bipolar disorder experience. Mania is the more severe of the two. Both produce similar symptoms including the following:
- Abnormal levels of energy
- Agitation
- Exaggerated sense of self-confidence
- Decreased need for sleep
- Excessive chattiness
- Racing thought
- Easily distracted
- Poor decision making that can be dangerous
Depression
Depression can also range in severity and typically involves the following symptoms:
- Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt
- Loss of interest in doing the things you love
- Fatigue
- Inability to concentrate
- Indecisiveness
- Changes in appetite that lead to weight loss or weight gain
- A change in sleep patterns
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but scientists believe the following factors may come into play:
- Biological Makeup: People with bipolar disorder have physical changes in the brain. Researchers are trying to understand what causes these changes.
- Genetics: People with close relatives that have bipolar disorder are more likely to develop it as well.
When to Get Help for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a serious condition and if you suspect it is affecting you or a loved one, you should talk to a mental health professional. However, the condition can be more serious in some people. Here are some signs that you may need to seek outpatient treatment for bipolar disorder.
It’s Causing Problems in Relationships: The mood swings caused by manic depression make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships with others. If your disorder is causing friends to stay away, it may be time to get help.
It’s Getting in the Way of Your Productivity: The mania of manic depression may make people feel like they are being productive, but they rarely think clearly so the work they got done during these episodes may be useless. When depressed, they may be unable to get out of bed and complete basic tasks. This type of behavior makes it difficult to hold down a job or get anything completed.
You’re Involved in Dangerous Situations: When people are manic, they feel overly self-confident and even invincible. This causes them to engage in situations that could be dangerous to themselves and others. It can even lead to legal and medical problems.
You Become Reliant on Drugs and Alcohol: Drugs and alcohol and bipolar disorder have a dangerous relationship. Some people choose not to get help for bipolar disorder and use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Others develop bipolar disorder as a result of drug and alcohol use. Either way, if you are using toxic substances and dealing with bipolar disorder, you should reach out to a bipolar specialist in NJ.
You Develop a Co-Occurring Condition: There are other conditions that may form because of bipolar disorder or may lead to bipolar disorder. These include the following:
- ADHD
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Physical health problems like headaches, thyroid issues, and heart disease
These conditions can worsen bipolar disorder. If you are dealing with bipolar disorder and a co-occurring condition, it’s best to seek the help of a medical professional.
You Are Having Suicidal Thoughts: The depression brought on by bipolar disorder can lead to suicidal thoughts. If you are having suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health specialist. If you are in imminent danger of harming yourself, call 911.
What to Expect in Outpatient Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is difficult to deal with. Fortunately, there are treatment centers for bipolar disorder that offer help.
If you are dealing with bipolar disorder on its own, outpatient bipolar treatment will be the way to go. This will involve going to regular therapy sessions while you proceed with your normal work and family routine.
Intensive outpatient treatment disorder starts with a physical and medical examination that will help a doctor determine the underlying causes of your disorder and find the best strategies for management.
There are several types of therapies commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. These include:
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy enforces a daily routine that allows for improved mood management.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy identifies unhealthy, negative behaviors and replaces them with healthy coping mechanisms.
- Psychoeducation provides you and your loved ones with a better understanding of your mental condition.
- Family-Focused Treatment which encourages family support in helping you stick to your management routine.
Bipolar disorder may also be treated with medications such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. These are often used in combination with therapy.
If you are dealing with a co-occurring disorder such as addiction, your treatment may involve you being checked in to a facility for inpatient rehab. This is a residential treatment that allows you to be monitored 24/7 to help you overcome the co-occurring disorder and ensure you are not experiencing any immediate health risks.
After inpatient treatment is completed, you will begin outpatient treatment for bipolar disorder.
There are many options when it comes to treatment centers for bipolar disorder, but Recovery Relevance takes an approach that sets us apart. We offer holistic, integrative, multidisciplinary rehab that treats the body and soul.
We start by evaluating our patients to work out a customized approach that is best suited to their individual circumstances. We combine traditional, science-backed therapies with alternative treatments such as music therapy, yoga, biofeedback, meditation, and massage therapy to create balance. We back this with a diet and exercise routine that provides optimal mental and physical health.
Once patients dealing with bipolar disorder and addiction complete our outpatient bipolar treatment, they check into our sober living facility and join CFC, a nonprofit abuse relapse prevention program. This ensures they have the support they need to adjust to sober living.
Bipolar disorder can keep you from fully enjoying life. Contact Relevance Recovery today to find a solution. Our intensive outpatient treatment for bipolar disorder will give you the tools you need to manage your disorder and live the high-quality life you deserve.
“The treatment experience at Relevance has been extremely helpful in terms of addressing the root causes of my addiction and teaching me different tools in recovery. All of the counselors provide interactive groups and individual meetings to help make recovery exciting. Treatment here has also helped me identify my goals and breaking them down into manageable pieces.”
– B.S.
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