Bi-polar disorder can be a debilitating disease if it is not treated properly. If you or someone you love is suffering from this severe mood disorder, it’s necessary to get appropriate treatment by experienced mental health professionals. Learn more about bi-polar disorder programs where you can get help below.
Diagnosing Bi-polar Disorder
Before you can get individualized care for bipolar disorder, it’s important to first confirm the presence of this life-changing mental illness.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is typically identified in most people before the age of 25, while a large number of sufferers experience symptoms even earlier–in their late teenage years or early twenties. A mood disorder that is commonly referred to as manic depression, bipolar is characterized by extreme emotional episodes. These episodes consist of particularly “high” moods, or mania, defined by excitement and excessive energy, in addition to a remarkably “low” mood that consists of devastating sadness and lack of energy or interest in life, or depression. In some cases, these two types of episodes can occur all at once causing a mixed emotional mood. In addition to the severe mood states, a person may undergo changes in their sleep patterns, energy, and behavior.
Bi-polar disorder tends to run in families and has a large genetic component. However, it has been difficult for scientists to pinpoint a single underlying cause for the disorder. In order to determine if a person has the disorder, they must endure a period of evaluation and testing. A physician may perform a physical exam, interview the patient, and run lab tests. As a result of this thorough examination, doctors are able to rule-out other conditions that may closely resemble some aspects of bipolar disorder. Then, your medical provider will typically refer you to someone who practices mental health–a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The mental health evaluation will consist of obtaining information about your medical and psychiatric history and that of your family members. Your therapist will ask questions about the symptoms you are experiencing and the period of time in which you experience them. He or she may also gain insight from your family members about your behavior and symptomalogy. Currently, bi-polar disorder is diagnosed using criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- 5th Edition (DSM-V) Diagnosis can often be complicated due to the presence of other serious problems such as alcoholism and substance abuse. The individual and his or her loved ones may attribute problems to the substance abuse and fail to identify the co-existent psychiatric disorder.
Bipolar can become even more debilitating if the symptoms are ignored and left untreated. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be experiencing the signs and symptoms of this disorder, you must seek professional help immediately.
Treatment of Bi-polar Disorder
Once diagnosis of bipolar disorder has been confirmed, your mental health providers will discuss treatment options with you. Most people seek help during depressive episodes–which accounts for bipolar frequently being misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder. The extreme symptoms of the disorder will be managed right away and your mood will be stabilized before you are able to decide on a long-term option.
Depending on the circumstances of your diagnosis and current symptomalogy, your initial treatment will commence. Some people are able to manage their disorder through outpatient treatment. Others may require day treatment programs in which they visit a facility during the day for treatment and go home each night. Still other, more serious cases, may demand immediate hospitalization to provide necessary medications and mood-stabilizing and prevent the person from being a harm to themselves or others. Furthermore, many people who suffer from bi-polar disorder receive a dual diagnosis along with substance abuse. They must receive adequate treatment for their addictions in order for them to be able to manage the effects of bipolar disorder.
Regardless of the type of bi-polar disorder programs a person chooses, or is admitted into, most treatment approaches consist of the multidisciplinary efforts of psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and psychoeducation.
Bi-polar Disorder Programs
Most bi-polar disorder programs, whether outpatient or inpatient, include a variety of all three options to adequately treat the disease. The variation of therapy and medications included in your treatment plan will depend on your symptoms, medical history, and any comorbid disorders.
Psychotherapy
Therapeutic intervention can come in the form of individual, group, or family therapy. Psychotherapy is typically directed toward’s helping the individual, and his or her loved ones, better understand the role of bi-polar disorder in their lives and how to develop coping mechanisms to effectively manage symptoms.
One effective type of psychotherapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which focuses on helping sufferers pinpoint disturbed thought patterns that may are not adaptive in their lives and may be contributing to the exacerbation of their disorder. Individuals may come to understand triggers for certain mood states and how to better control them. They may also learn supportive strategies by hearing the portrayals of others in a group setting. Psychoeducation and support groups are used in conjunction with therapy to help with the treatment of bi-polar disorder.
Psychopharmacology
Medication management in the treatment of bipolar disorder is generally geared at managing symptoms and controlling episodes of mania or depression. The kind of medication you are prescribed will depend on your unique chemistry and response to different drugs.
In general, most psychopharmacological intervention falls under the following categories:
- Mood stabilizers- Known as anticonvulsants, these medications help to regulate a person’s mood from either a “high” or a “low” state to a more normal level
- Antidepressants- As the name suggests, these drugs help to alleviate many of the symptoms experienced in depressive episodes such as lack of interest in life, hopelessness, sleep disruption, and problems with appetite
Other medications may be prescribed based on your medical history or other co-existing medical or psychiatric conditions.
Other Treatments
Historically referred to as “shock therapy”, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been found useful for treating forms of bipolar disorder that are resistant to therapeutic and medical intervention.
Furthermore, a newer intervention called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been applied in cases when patients do not respond to their antidepressant regimen.
As you can see, there are an abundance of possible options for treating bipolar disorder and numerous combinations of the above can be used. Different treatment approaches are often used for pregnant women or children and adolescents. However, there are effective treatments for both genders and all age ranges. Insurance companies usually cover a portion of the treatment costs associated with bipolar disorder. If you are concerned that your insurance may not, many bi-polar disorder programs offer special financing.
RehabReviews is the best online source for outpatient, inpatient, or residential bipolar treatment programs. Learn more about getting treatment at a qualified facility now.