Where can someone with bipolar disorder get help?

Where Can Someone with Bipolar Disorder Get Help?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that features dramatic mood shifts between mania and depression. Living with bipolar disorder can become frustrating and exhausting. This complex mood disorder impacts all areas of life, relationships, and health. So, where can someone with bipolar disorder get help? Here we answer that question, as well as provide helpful information about managing this mental health challenge.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that features extreme and often unpredictable shifts in mood and energy. It affects sleep patterns, eating habits, emotions, and behaviors, causing significant disruption in daily functioning. 

Bipolar disorder usually emerges in the teen or early adult years, with the average age of onset being twenty-five. About five million U.S. adults, or 2.8% of the population, struggle with bipolar disorder according to NAMI. Of these patients, about 83% are classified as severe. Check out this free online quiz for bipolar disorder.

There is still no scientific consensus on the specific cause of bipolar disorder. However, known factors that can increase the risk of bipolar include:

• Genetics. There is a family history of bipolar or mental illness.
• Brain function. There is irregular brain structure, chemistry, or brain functioning detected.
• Environmental. Personal life experiences may also play a role, such as having a childhood history of abuse, trauma, or neglect.

Four Types of Bipolar Disorder

According to the DSM-5, there are four distinct types of bipolar disorder. This indicates which mood states are most prevalent, and the severity and duration of the mood states. The four types of bipolar include:

• Bipolar I. Bipolar I features extreme manic episodes that may last up to one week alternating with depressive episodes that may last two weeks or more. Bipolar I is the most severe form of bipolar disorder and involve severe and acute episodes that may require stabilization.
• Bipolar II. Bipolar II disorder features mood shifts between hypomanic (a less severe for of mania) episodes and depressive episodes.
• Cyclothymic Disorder. Cyclothymic disorder features repeated periods of manic symptoms and depressive symptoms lasting at least two years, however the symptoms of the mania and depression are milder.
• Otherwise Unspecified. This type of bipolar, also called mixed features, has symptoms of mania and depression that do not meet diagnostic criteria.

Symptoms of Bipolar Moods

Symptoms of bipolar disorder differ according to the type of bipolar disorder the individual has been diagnosed with. Mood states may vary in symptom severity and frequency. Here are the typical symptoms associated with bipolar disorder:

Symptoms of a manic phase may include:

• Euphoric mood
• Sudden burst of energy
• Hyperactivity
• Reduced need for sleep
• Jittery and agitated
• Talkative, rapid speech
• Irritability
• Racing thoughts
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Taking on many tasks at once
• Aggressive behavior

Symptoms of a depressive phase may include:

• Feeling sad and hopeless
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities once enjoyed
• Decreased activity level; slowed movements
• Forgetfulness
• Very low energy
• Disordered eating habits
• Flat emotions, a lack of joy or pleasure
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Excessive fatigue
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Common Challenges of Living with Bipolar Disorder

Managing daily life with bipolar can present several challenges. The disorder is often unpredictable, which impacts not only the individual but also those he or she lives or works with. No wonder the person may be asking, “Where can someone with bipolar disorder get help?”

Some examples of how bipolar can affect a person’s life include:

• Difficulty maintaining relationships. People with bipolar struggle to form and sustain close, healthy relationships.
• Difficulty maintaining employment. Because bipolar impacts sleep quality, mood states, and workplace relationships it is hard to maintain employment.
• Exhaustion. The mood swings can be exhausting to live with on a daily basis, as the person vacillates between mania and depression.
• Increased risk of suicide. When someone with bipolar disorder enters a depressive episode they may entertain thoughts of suicide.
• Self-harm. Self-harming behaviors are not uncommon in people with bipolar. The pain they inflict on themselves offers them an outlet for the feelings of frustration and anxiety they experience.

Finding Help for Bipolar Disorder

When answering the question, “Where can someone with bipolar disorder get help? it helps to know that help is available. Although bipolar disorder presents some challenges in managing mood states, there are several effective treatment methods that offer results. These include:

• Acute Stabilization. Someone with bipolar disorder may experience severe depressive or manic episodes that put them in danger of harming themselves or others. Then individual will receive specialized stabilization interventions and monitoring until they can begin treatment.
• Medication. Medications are available, such as sertraline, to address the specific features of each type of bipolar disorder and to manage symptoms.
• Psychotherapy. Individual therapy provides an outlet for discussing the effects of bipolar in daily life and to learn how to manage symptoms. 

Types of therapy that are effective for treating bipolar disorder include:

• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy. IPSRT helps people develop healthy routines, which help regulate both biological and social rhythms. IPSRT emphasizes medication adherence, stress management, and ways to reduce social rhythm disruptions.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps you identify the thought distortions and how your thought patterns can impact your mood and behaviors. Once those are acknowledged, CBT guides you toward making meaningful changes in thought-behavior patterns.
• EMDR. EMDR provides relief for people with bipolar disorder with a history of trauma. EMDR uses a method of rapid back and forth eye movements to help you work through a traumatic memory.
• Family therapy. Bipolar disorder often disrupts the family dynamic. Family sessions allow members to learn new ways to manage the adverse effects of this complex mental health disorder. In family therapy, you’ll practice problem-solving skills and learn new techniques to help manage anger and conflict.
• Group therapy. Individuals in treatment gather together to discuss their personal challenges and experiences with each other. A therapist guides the conversation and provides structure to the discussion.
• Holistic therapies. Holistic activities are included in the treatment process. These methods are quite helpful for reducing stress and may include yoga and meditation.
• Light therapy. Light therapy can assist with sleep rhythm disruption due to manic episodes. This involves the use of a light box for a certain number of hours per day to help reset the circadian rhythm.

Mental Health Hope Offers Support for Individuals with Bipolar Disorder

Mental Health Hope is a supportive resource where someone with bipolar disorder can get help. LifeSync Malibu is a residential mental health treatment center that offers acute stabilization and comprehensive care for individuals with bipolar. For more information about our luxury mental health treatment center, please reach out to us today at (424) 622-6369.