Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition involving extreme mood swings.
Individuals will experience distinct periods of time with manic or hypomanic symptoms, such as
- elevated mood, euphoria or irritability
- increased energy and less need for sleep
- racing thoughts and talking faster than usual
- increased activity level
- distractibility
These are often followed by distinct periods of depression symptoms, such as
- depressed or sad mood
- loss of energy
- reduced interest or pleasure in activities
- sense of hopelessness
- thoughts of suicide
Moods will last for days and weeks, and these fluctuations may cause extreme behavior changes and difficulties with daily life, such as increased conflict with a spouse, inability to perform at work, or bouts of overspending or promiscuity.
There are Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar I Disorder – when there has been at least one manic episode which may be preceded or followed by a hypomanic or depressive episode.
- Bipolar II Disorder – when there has been at least one hypomanic episode (a milder mania) and one depressive episode.
- Cyclothymic Disorder – when for at least two years there have been numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms.
Other types of Bipolar Disorder include those due to drug or alcohol use, or a medical condition.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Because Bipolar Disorder cannot be cured and is a recurrent condition, long-term treatment is necessary. However, with appropriate medical and psychological treatment, individuals can live healthy, productive, and enjoyable lives.
Medication
Medication is most often the first line of treatment and is prescribed by psychiatrists or family physicians. Mood stabilizer drugs, such as Lithium, are often prescribed to prevent mood swings. Your doctor may also prescribe other medications as appropriate and indicated, often to treat depressive symptoms and help with sleep.
Psychotherapy
Stress can be both a symptom and a cause of Bipolar Disorder, so psychotherapeutic treatment is often used alongside medication. Studies show that adding therapy reduces the number of future mood episodes and shortens their duration.
Therapy can help is several ways:
- Connect with friends and family, and help resolve conflict in relationships
- Help with managing work demands
- To understand one’s unique set of symptoms
- To identify specific triggers that begin mood episodes and manage them
- Psychoeducation (there are often many questions people have about this condition
- Develop skills and strategies to better live with the condition
- Find a new lifestyle that supports good mental health thereby reducing the likelihood of episodes
- Processing the emotional side of living with Bipolar Disorder. There can be mixed feelings about this experience. For example, some people fear losing the productivity and creativity that accompanies mania, and therapy can help harness this creativity to create an organized strategy and timeline to achieve goals.
Reach out anytime with questions about how psychotherapy can help.