Bipolar Disorder Treatment
“Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life.” – Carrie Fisher
Have you ever felt like you’re ready to do everything at once? Like you have enough energy to conquer the world? What about the next day when you can barely get up in the morning and you feel like nothing is ever going to get better? If you experience intense highs and lows like this, you could have bipolar disorder.
The Oceans Experience
Oceans is committed to providing quality behavioral health in a safe environment. With our telehealth capabilities we can conduct therapy, education and diagnosis via phone or video. We accept Medicare, TRICARE and most private insurance.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bipolar, you’re not the only one. Bipolar disorder affects an estimated 8 million adults in the U.S. Although severe mental health concerns leave you feeling alienated, you can still live a happy, healthy life with the right treatment.
Oceans Healthcare has over 30 locations throughout the U.S. and more than 34 thousand clients treated annually. Our bipolar treatment team has the expertise to provide you with the world-class care you deserve as we work together to build a treatment plan that works for you.
What We Treat: Bipolar Disorder & Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders
Bipolar is a lifelong mood disorder that affects millions of people every year. Previously referred to as “manic-depressive disorder,” the condition is characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows. People with this condition experience intense highs known as mania and intense lows known as depression. The frequency and severity of these symptoms depend on the type of bipolar disorder you have.
These abnormal mood changes have long-term consequences, like financial instability, job loss, and damage to relationships. In some cases, people develop a substance use disorder (SUD) while trying to self-medicate. Substance use feels good in the short term but worsens symptoms over time. At Oceans Healthcare, we treat people with bipolar disorder and co-occurring SUDs.
How We Treat: Full Spectrum of Care
We have a variety of treatment options so that the intensity of care can be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Trauma usually plays a role in the development of bipolar, and addressing it in therapy is healing. Evidence-based therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are useful when treating mood disorders like bipolar. In CBT, you’ll work with a therapist to better understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Together, the two of you will identify unhelpful thought patterns and come up with healthier reactions and coping mechanisms.
Every client at Oceans Healthcare meets with a board-certified psychiatrist. Your psychiatrist will work with you to determine whether or not a bipolar diagnosis fits your symptoms and what medications will help you manage your symptoms.
If you are in crisis and experiencing an intense manic or depressive episode, our inpatient treatment is a good fit for you. Here you’ll receive 24/7 care in a warm, supportive, homey environment. You’ll have a whole team of clinicians working together to give you the best care available and get you back to your baseline.
If you would benefit from intensive structure but don’t want to stay at our facility overnight, our partial hospitalization program (PHP) is right for you. Our PHP program consists of four to five hours of therapy and other treatment but allows you to go home in the evenings.
Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a good option for people who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy. In IOP, clients come for two hours of treatment two or three days a week.
Understanding What It Means to be Bipolar
Bipolar is a mood condition that is broken down into bipolar I and bipolar II. The type of bipolar you’re diagnosed with depends on your combination of symptoms and how long they last. You’ll experience manic or hypomanic episodes where you feel extreme “highs” and depressive episodes where you experience extreme “lows.” These cycles have a severe impact on daily life and a person’s ability to function
There is a third, less common type of bipolar disorder called cyclothymic disorder, or cyclothymia. This condition is associated with hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not as severe as bipolar I and II.
Bipolar I Defined
In the case of bipolar I, manic episodes last for at least 7 days and are extremely disruptive to your ability to function at work or school. These episodes often require hospitalization. Depressive episodes last for at least two weeks, in between manic episodes.
In some cases, people with bipolar I also experience mixed episodes, where they have both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. Cycling through 4 or more manic and depressive episodes in the span of a year qualifies as rapid cycling.
Bipolar II Defined
When it comes to bipolar II, manic symptoms are less severe, referred to as hypomania, and do not usually last as long as mania. Hypomania does not typically require hospitalization, and many people even see an improved performance at work or school. Depressive episodes still occur and last for weeks or even months.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder I and II
As noted above, symptoms of bipolar are broken down into manic and depressive symptoms. Common manic symptoms include:
- Racing thoughts and very fast speech
- An intense sense of power or self-importance
- Not feeling tired or lacking a need for sleep
- Feelings of invincibility
- Seeking out pleasurable activities, like sex, substance use, and food consumption
In bipolar II, the above manic symptoms tend to be less intense. Depressive symptoms are the opposite of mania. Common depressive symptoms are:
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep pattern
- No longer feeling pleasure from things you used to enjoy
- Feelings of worthlessness
- A lack of motivation
- Feelings that your situation is hopeless or will never improve
- An urge to hurt yourself or someone else
Both depressive and manic symptoms leave you unable to function properly. Anyone who has the urge to hurt themselves or someone else or who is experiencing suicidal ideation should seek medical help immediately.
Who Experiences Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar can impact anyone and can develop at any time. However, the condition typically presents in your teens to early twenties. We still have a lot to learn about the specific causes of bipolar disorder. Bipolar is thought to have some relationship to genetics and changes in brain structure, although there is no clear evidence that bipolar is genetic. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have close relatives with the same condition. Environmental factors like trauma and stress, both as a child and an adult, also play a factor in the development of bipolar disorder.
How Bipolar Disorder Is Diagnosed
There is no single test for bipolar. The condition should be diagnosed by a medical professional, such as a psychiatrist, who has examined your medical history as well as your current symptoms. You might not receive a bipolar diagnosis on your first visit. Your doctor must have a clear understanding of what you’re experiencing to give you the correct diagnosis, so they may choose to examine you over time.
What to Expect During the Diagnostic Exam
Before your exam begins, you’ll receive a mental health questionnaire so that the doctor can get a sense of where you’re at psychologically. To begin, you’ll receive a physical and bloodwork to rule out any other conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms and address any other health concerns.
Your doctor will go on to ask you detailed questions about your symptoms, when they started, and how long they’ve been going on. They will use this information to curate your treatment plan—not to judge you or make you feel like an outsider. At Oceans Healthcare, you’re always treated with dignity and respect. This meeting with your doctor is your first step to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Dixieland
Living with bipolar disorder is disorienting. You can find that weeks have gone by in an episode and your life has been upended. Once you get started with treatment, you’ll find that your symptoms are manageable because you have the right support.
Are you ready to start treatment? We accept referrals 24/7, so our Oceans Healthcare team is always here to help. We foster a collaborative environment, so you’ll have a whole team of world-class clinicians working together to tailor a unique treatment plan to your needs. Call us today to begin at 888-293-6899.
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