Bipolar Disorder Treatment Program

Bipolar disorder may not be considered a common illness, but in recent years it has received enough attention to make it a term that most people have heard of. These people largely understand bipolar disorder to be something that makes people have highs and lows, but few understand just how much of a negative impact these mood swings have on a person’s life. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder and available bipolar disorder treatment centers.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Previously called manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to have noticeable and at times extreme shifts in mood. It can also cause major changes to a person’s energy levels, concentration, and ability to do normal, everyday tasks. For most people, the symptoms begin to appear in their late teens through mid-twenties. On rare occasions, symptoms can show in children, and some women may develop symptoms during or after a pregnancy. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, however, with the help of a bipolar treatment center, someone can properly manage their symptoms. The managing of symptoms prevents them from interfering with your everyday life.

Types of Bipolar

Bipolar disorder does not have just one set of symptoms that people suffer from. Instead, there are three distinct types, each with different symptoms. These types are:

Bipolar I Disorder

Characterized by manic episodes that last for a week or more, bipolar I symptoms are so severe, a person often needs medical care. Sufferers usually also have depressive episodes, which last for two weeks or more. To add, it is also possible to have mixed episodes, during which symptoms of both mania and depression are present.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II is characterized by cycles of manic and depressive episodes. The manic episodes aren’t as severe as they are in bipolar I disorder. These cycles are called hypomania.

Cyclothymic Disorder/Cyclothymia

Characterized by hypomanic episodes followed by depressive symptoms that last for two years or more (one year in adolescents). The symptoms do not meet the requirements to be diagnosed as hypomanic or depressive episodes but are cyclical and severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life.

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The main sign of bipolar disorder is the “mood episodes” that people experience. These cause intense emotion, changes in your sleeping patterns or activity levels, and unusual behaviors that you don’t realize could be harmful or dangerous. Mood episodes are either depressive or manic and can last for most of the day, several days, or even several weeks. The signs of a depressive mood episode include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, worried, or “empty”
• Feeling like you are slowed down
• Changes to your sleeping patterns (problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up on time)
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Having problems concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
• Problems doing normal, everyday tasks like showering, going to work, or caring for your family
• Having little or no interest in activities, hobbies, or socializing
• Feeling hopeless, or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide

The signs of a manic mood episode include:

• Feeling very energetic, “high,” elated, or irritable
• Feeling jumpy or “weird”
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Needing less sleep than usual
• Talking very fast, or frequently changing subjects
• Feeling like your thoughts are racing
• Feeling like you can do anything, or do a lot of things as once
• Risky behaviors like excessive spending or unprotected sex
• Feeling like you are unusually important, talented, or powerful

Bipolar Disorder Statistics

An estimated 2.8 percent of Americans have bipolar disorder, with sufferers evenly split between men and women. Overall, 4.4 percent of the population has experienced bipolar symptoms at one point in their lives. People who suffer from this disorder report that it has an impact on their daily lives, with 17.1 percent reporting a moderate impact and 82.9 reporting a serious impact. This means that no one with bipolar disorder says that it has little or no impact on their daily lives, which is what makes bipolar disorder treatment centers so important.

When I Should Seek Help from Bipolar Disorder Treatment Centers?

Bipolar disorder can have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life. Its impact is why it is so important to seek help as soon as you think–or someone else points out–that you are suffering from mood swings and cycles. Many people live years or even decades with undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Additionally, some people are misdiagnosed with standard depression or schizophrenia when they seek professional help. This happens because many people with bipolar disorder don’t recognize their “high” cycles as manic episodes, instead only seeing the depressive episodes as a problem. Therefore, it is important to talk about all of your symptoms and experiences with your doctor, so that they can accurately diagnose you. The medication is not likely to be effective when you only treat your depression.

Treatment Options at a Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center

Bipolar disorder treatment centers are able to help anyone with this condition, no matter how mild or severe their symptoms. And even if your bipolar symptoms are extreme, you too can find relief so that it stops interfering with your daily life. Your treatment will include therapy, medication, or even both depending on your individual needs.

Medication

Helps to control your symptoms, both highs and lows. You may need to try more than one until you find the medication that is the most effective with the fewest side effects.

Therapy

Helps you to recognize problematic behaviors and feelings so that you better understand your condition. Your therapist can also help give you and your family healthy coping mechanisms, education, skills, and more.

Begin Healing for Bipolar Disorder Today

Bipolar disorder may be a life-long illness, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle with your symptoms. Instead, bipolar disorder treatment centers can help you to manage your symptoms with medication and therapy, helping you to get back on track to a normal life free from your mood episodes.

At Mind Body Wellness, we offer a range of bipolar disorder treatment options and can help you to find the right treatment to suit your needs and symptoms. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you to regain control of your life.