Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar Disorder
“Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness, and the black show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music.” –Ehssan.
This quote quite accurately describes life for people living with bipolar disorder, a chronic mental health condition that affects their mood, energy and thought levels. Bipolar disorder is characterized by manic and depressive episodes.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depression) is a mental illness that causes clear changes in a person’s mood, energy levels, and concentration. People with bipolar disorder often experience periods where their mood is described as elated, irritable, or “up.” These are manic episodes. They also have periods where their moods are very “down,” indifferent, or hopeless, which are their depressive episodes.
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 2.8 percent of US adults have bipolar disorder. Among people living with bipolar disorder, the number of people is split similarly between males and females: 2.9 percent versus 2.8 percent.
- 82.9 percent of people living with bipolar disorder had a serious impairment. This figure represents the highest level among mood disorders, such as major depression, dysthymia or persistent mild depression, a mood disorder linked to another health condition, and substance-induced mood disorder.
- 17.1 percent of those living with bipolar disorder had moderate impairments.
What are Manic and Depressive Episodes?
Everyone has really good days where everything seems to be going their way, and they say to themselves, “Wow, I really love how my life is going!” A person who is experiencing a manic episode feels like that but to an even greater extent.
Manic Phase Symptoms
The classic symptoms of a manic phase are as follows:
- A highly inflated sense of self-worth or self-esteem
- A fixed, mistaken belief in something that is untrue; it may be something grandiose, such as that they are a famous person, or persecutory, like a neighbor or the government is spying on them.
- Having difficulty concentrating and being easily distracted
- Greatly decreased need for sleep
- Reckless or risk-taking behaviors (overspending, risky sexual activity, drinking, or harming oneself or others)
- Speaking quickly and rapidly moving from one idea to another
Depressive Phase Symptoms
During the depressive phase of being bipolar, a person feels sad, irritable, and empty. They may experience a loss of pleasure or interest in activities they previously enjoyed. Other symptoms of depression include the following:
- Changes in appetite or weight (gain or loss)
- Experiencing excessive guilt
- Feelings of low self-esteem or self-worth
- Hopelessness about the future
- Low energy
- Sleep disruptions (difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep)
- Thoughts about death or suicide, including making plans for self-harm
A depressive episode is different from the mood changes experienced by people during their everyday lives. These symptoms last “most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.”
Manic and depressive episodes cause significant difficulties in all aspects of a person’s life, including their home, work, and school. Someone living with bipolar disorder may need specialized care to prevent them from doing harm to themselves or others.
Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. Researchers believe there are several factors that can cause this mental illness, including:
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors account for approximately 80 percent of the cause of this condition, making bipolar disorder the most likely psychiatric condition to be passed down from other family members.
If one parent has bipolar disorder, the likelihood that their child will develop the illness is 10 percent. If both parents have bipolar disorder, the likelihood that their child will develop bipolar disorder increases to 40 percent.
Having one parent with bipolar disorder doesn’t mean that other family members will necessarily develop the mental illness. More research is needed on the role that genetics plays to determine how bipolar disorder develops.
Seasonal Factors
Seasonal factors are not a direct cause of bipolar disorder; however, they appear to play a role in its onset. The increase in sunlight hours is thought to increase depression and mania by impacting the pineal gland.
Physical Illness and Bipolar Disorder
Physical illness is not a cause of bipolar disorder. Some physical illnesses can cause symptoms that may be mistaken for mania. Certain medications like steroids and illicit stimulant drugs can also cause manic symptoms.
Substances and Bipolar Disorder
In some people, taking antidepressants can have the opposite effect: they can trigger manic episodes. It’s important to report any unusual symptoms to the prescribing physician while taking these medications.
Other substances that can produce a high that looks like mania include:
- Exceptionally high levels of caffeine
- Illicit drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines
- Medications for hormonal issues (prednisone or other corticosteroids
Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse
Many people with bipolar disorder are likely to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to seek relief from their mood symptoms. They may not realize that their mood symptoms are from a mental illness. If they do understand that their mood swings are from a mental illness, they may hesitate to consult a mental health professional for help.
People with bipolar disorder may be at higher risk for addictions due to a shared neurobiology between the two conditions. The research conducted on addiction has focused on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Bipolar disorder may be due, in part, to dopamine dysfunction.
Canyon Vista Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
At Canyon Vista Recovery Treatment Center, we treat clients with bipolar disorder who are living with a substance abuse disorder, and those who do not abuse drugs and alcohol under one roof. Clients are evaluated when they come through our doors to determine the best type of treatment.
Residential Treatment Program
This treatment option is for clients who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, along with bipolar disorder. Once they have completed their detoxification (detox), they start a customized treatment program based on their personal history, substance abuse history, and recovery goals.
Clients living with bipolar disorder benefit from counseling sessions conducted by a psychiatrist. These healthcare professionals can evaluate clients to determine whether they would benefit from medication to keep their moods balanced and what dosage would be appropriate.
Someone living with bipolar disorder must accept that they need to take medications for the rest of their life. Even if they start to feel better, medication is still required. Stopping the medication means the mood changes could come back. For some people, going off the medication means minor mood changes could turn into manic or depressive episodes.
Bipolar disorder clients struggling with substance abuse receive treatment for their drug and alcohol abuse issues. Their plan will include a combination of individual therapy and group therapy to get to the root of their addiction. Our holistic treatment also includes maintaining a regular schedule of healthy meals, physical activity, and attending 12-step groups.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program (IOP)
Canyon Vista’s IOP for substance use and addiction treatment can be an option for some clients living with bipolar disorder. It is designed to provide clients structured support, in a more flexible, less intensive way. Clients can live at home, go to work or school, and still receive treatment for their mental health and substance use disorder.
The IOP schedule involves several sessions over 8-12 weeks. The program meets three times weekly in the evenings. These sessions include individual and group therapy. During individual counseling sessions, the client works with a therapist on personal matters and their treatment goals. Group therapy sessions provide support to the participants, who share their stories in an honest, caring environment.
An advantage of the IOP is that clients can practice the coping skills and strategies they learn in real-life settings immediately. Once clients have practiced the coping skills and strategies, they can share their impressions with their therapist or support group and discuss the results.
Bipolar disorder may be a chronic mental illness but it doesn’t mean that effective treatment isn’t available.
Get Help for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder may be a chronic mental illness but it doesn’t mean that effective treatment isn’t available.
Canyon Vista Recovery Center is dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and mental health disorders to build healthier, happier lives. With a personalized, compassionate approach, clients are empowered to take control of their recovery and embrace the possibilities of a brighter future.
