What is Bipolar Disorder and How is it Treated?
Bipolar disorder is both an incredibly serious and also relatively common mental illness known commonly for causing mood and energy swings. Approximately 2.6% of Americans over the age of 18 suffer from bipolar disorder, which is over 5.7 million people. Of those 5.7 million people, 82.9% claimed to have had severe impairment from their disorder within the last year, the highest percentage of any mood disorder.
While bipolar is order can present itself in different ways, it is always vital that a person who believes they may be suffering from the mood swings associated with this disorder seek the opinion of a medical professional. Bipolar disorder is considered to be a highly treatable illness but also can be incredibly dangerous if left unchecked. People diagnosed with bipolar live on average about years less than someone without mental illness and are almost ten times more likely to commit suicide.
With proper medication and continuous treatment, people suffering from bipolar disorder can experience long periods without experiencing severe symptoms, or any symptoms for a time. This is not necessarily possible for everyone diagnosed with the disorder, however, and it will likely never completely disappear forever.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness known for causing sudden and drastic mood changes in an individual. Bipolar disorder can also affect a person’s energy level and ability to concentrate, making it oftentimes a very difficult disorder to manage in one’s day-to-day life. There are three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and Cyclothymic disorder.
Bipolar I disorder is defined by a series of severe manic or hypomanic episodes followed by depressive episodes. A manic episode is when someone experiences an extreme boost in energy for at least seven days. People experiencing manic episodes are more likely to engage in reckless behavior, sleep and eat less, and will feel like their minds are constantly racing.
A hypomanic episode has the same symptoms as a manic episode but the symptoms do not present themselves to be as severe and will last only a few days.
Depressive episodes are generally thought of as the opposite of manic episodes. Depressive episodes are characterized by the feeling of a lack of energy, forgetfulness when trying to speak, and a loss of interest in activities or other people. While manic episodes can be dangerous due to increased participation in potentially risky behavior, depressive episodes can lead to suicidal thoughts when severe enough.
People suffering from bipolar II disorder will still experience depressive episodes but will not experience full-blown manic episodes, rather only short stints of hypomanic episodes. Oftentimes people suffering from bipolar II disorder will also suffer from addiction or social disorders. Cyclothymic disorder will cause someone to experience symptoms of a hypomanic episode and depression at times, but the symptoms are mild in comparison and do not last long enough to be considered full episodes.
How is Bipolar Treated?
Bipolar disorder treatment will vary depending on the severity of the symptoms but all are considered to be highly treatable. Due to its more mild symptoms, Cyclothymic disorder is the easiest to treat among the three disorders. Medication can be prescribed to treat Cyclothymic disorder but oftentimes talk therapy is used in helping people work through the hardships of the highs and lows of their moods. Those suffering from Cyclothymic disorder often stop and start treatment throughout their lives as they see fit.
Bipolar disorders I and II are generally treated in the same ways, using a combination of medication and therapy. While different people can react differently to medications, these disorders are generally treated using some combination of mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications. Each person’s treatment plan should be personalized to them. Someone suffering from these disorders may have to work with their psychiatrist for a while before finding the correct combination or treatment plan for them.
There is no single cause for bipolar disorder but there are a combination of factors that affect a person’s risk. New studies suggest that the actual structure of a person’s brain with bipolar disorder is different than a healthy one. With more research, doctors may be able to use brain imaging to diagnose patients with bipolar disorder.
Genetics also play a large role in the risk of someone developing bipolar disorder. People with bipolar family members are more likely to develop the disorder themselves. In fact, people with bipolar family members are estimated to be four to six times more likely to also be bipolar. Most people with a bipolar family member do not develop the disorder themselves, but it still may be a good idea to be screened for it if the disorder runs in your family.
Environmental factors can also play a factor in either developing the disorder or triggering an episode. These could include substance abuse or extremely stressful or traumatic situations. Avoiding these situations or seeking therapy to deal with them is vital in fighting this mental illness.
Program Components
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy & Counseling
- Medical Services
- Medication Management
- Case Management Services
- Holistic Treatments
- Clinically Developed Curriculum
- Addiction and Mental Health Education
- Family Program
- Aftercare Development Planning
