Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a severe psychological mood disorder that causes extreme shifts in mood, attitude, behavior and energy. The hallmarks of bipolar disorder are manic highs, where a person experiences heightened energy and mood, and depressive lows, where they experience low energy and sadness or irritability. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health issue that requires the proper treatment in order to be managed.
Because bipolar disorder can look similar to other psychological disorders, like depression and anxiety, it can be hard to diagnose. The characteristic highs and lows of bipolar disorder may be mistaken for depressive episodes or bouts of anxiety, and all people experience highs and lows in moods, so its symptoms can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed. Additionally, many who suffer from bipolar disorder seek help only during depressive episodes, which may lead to an improper diagnosis of depression.
During manic episodes, a person with bipolar disorder can feel excited and overly self-confident, often needing less sleep and experiencing a sense of euphoria. Depressive episodes are often characterized by extreme sadness, despondence, and listlessness. These highs and lows last for days at a time, rather than hours. Manic episodes can vary in severity, lasting anywhere from a few days to more than a week. However, there may be times when a person with bipolar disorder has a balanced mood, and mania may manifest itself more as irritability than euphoria.
Since bipolar disorder can be hard to diagnose, it’s important to know what to look for if you think you or someone you know may be at risk.
For those who suffer with bipolar disorder, the highs and lows they experience can interfere greatly with their everyday life, including jobs and relationships with loved ones. Individuals with bipolar disorder will see symptoms worsen over time, and the risk of suicide and drug and alcohol addiction is higher in people who suffer from bipolar disorder than in the general population.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 30-50% of people who suffer from bipolar disorder will develop a co-occurring substance abuse disorder at some point in their life. Co-occurring disorders can complicate the treatment process of both disorders, which is why it’s important to diagnose and treat both, as well as any other underlying mental health issues, simultaneously.
If you think you or a loved one is suffering from bipolar disorder, it’s important to seek treatment from a trained professional. At Serenity View, our highly trained staff work with clients to diagnose and address all mental health and addiction issues concurrently, including any underlying trauma or causes for the disorders. According to SAMHSA, studies have shown that many people with bipolar disorder are more likely to have experienced childhood trauma, so looking into any potential past trauma is an important part of any treatment program.
Our tailored approach offers therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and cutting-edge neurofeedback from Serenity View’s Brain Center, among other options. With the right treatment plan, you can manage bipolar disorder and start on the path toward healing
If you or a loved one would like to know more about treatment at Serenity View Recovery Center, please give us a call to speak to one of our trained intake coordinators for assistance.
Call 833-757-5697