Bipolar Disorder
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that falls into a set called mood disorders. It is marked by severe mood swings between mania and depression that make it difficult for the person going through these to continue with their daily life.
Bipolar disorder is divided into two types: Bipolar Type 1 and Bipolar Type 2.
- Bipolar type 1 is marked by even a single episode of mania. If a patient has even a single manic episode, regardless of whether or not they have a depressive episode, they are diagnosed with Type 1 bipolar disorder
- Bipolar Disorder type 2 disorder is when a patient has depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are less disruptive than manic episodes, but can still be quite difficult to manage.
Common symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder has two separate and very different sets of symptoms.
Sometimes the patient is going through a Manic episode that is marked by the following symptoms:
- Decreased sleep – Patients going through a manic episode often don’t sleep for multiple days and don’t even feel tired.
- Increased talkativeness.
- The person might think they are better than others or think they have special powers.
- Incoherent speech or flight of ideas – the person going through the episode might keep switching to seemingly unrelated topics randomly.
- Increased activity and energy – Despite not sleeping properly, people going through manic episodes often have more energy than usual and start doing more tasks.
- Impulsivity – This can appear in the form of overspending and reckless actions.
The symptoms are often so disruptive that the person can no longer function properly and can not be handled by family members. In such cases, hospitalization becomes essential, and medical help is needed.
Why is professional diagnosis and treatment essential for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a very serious medical condition that requires careful management. The first step to proper management is getting a diagnosis from a medical professional. Once that is done, they can start the patient on the correct medications.
Episodes of mania and depression can become very difficult for the patient and their loved ones. Sometimes the episodes can be so serious that hospitalization becomes necessary. This is why they must take the correct medicines and take them regularly. The medicines also need to be adjusted for each patient to ensure their symptoms are controlled and they are not experiencing too many side effects.
If proper treatment is not received, future episodes can become more and more serious.
Hypomania has similar symptoms but they are fewer and less intense and often patients actually feel more productive and don’t even notice something is wrong until their condition worsens.
The other set of symptoms is that of a Depressive episode. These include –
- Low mood.
- Decreased interest in activities.
- Suicidal ideas – Patients can have very severe suicidal tendencies in depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Hence you should be on high alert in such cases and involve doctors as soon as possible.
- Decreased energy.
- Abnormal sleep patterns – The patient may sleep too much or might have trouble falling asleep and feel tired throughout the day.
- Change in appetite – Often people in a depressive episode have decreased hunger, but sometimes they may also eat more than usual.
- Excessive guilt – The person might have extreme guilt about seemingly small mistakes.
- Decreased concentration in even simple tasks.
- Decreased socializing.
Phoenix's Approach to Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Phoenix's mental health treatment facilities and ethos
Phoenix Behavioral Health wants to provide people in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse disorders compassionate and equitable treatment so that they can go forth and live their best lives.
We work in a collaborative manner where the patients, healthcare providers, social workers, and various community stakeholders collaborate to come up with the best management plans. This allows us to cater to a diverse set of people with the utmost compassion.
We pride ourselves on our integrity, transparency, and ability to provide excellent care to all those who come to us.
Our services range from the management of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder to other psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety, personality disorders, and impulse control disorders. We also provide services for those struggling with addictions.
The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) by Phoenix
Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program are both great outpatient options depending on what suits the individual more.
- PHP is a great option for people who want to transition from inpatient management to outpatient management. It includes things like daily group therapy, individual counseling sessions, medical management, skill workshops, and a smooth transition to outpatient management.
- IOP is like the next step after PHP, as it is outpatient management, but we are still quite involved in the management of our client. This too offers all that PHP offers but instead of a daily thing, you can have weekly counseling sessions and focused group sessions so that you can balance your work or studies or home life with your management.
How can these programs cater to individuals with bipolar disorder?
Both programs are great options for those struggling with Bipolar disorder but the best choice depends on the individual and their symptoms and needs.
At Phoenix Behavioral Health, our expert initially start with a comprehensive assessment to decide which program suits you best. PHP can be a great option if you are experiencing acute symptoms that are disturbing your functioning but do not require immediate hospitalization.
If you are not experiencing acute symptoms and want a smooth transition but also want regular monitoring and management, IOP is the way to go.
The Treatment Process at Phoenix Behavioral Health, Cherry Hill, NJ
At Phoenix, we offer a combination of both group therapy and individual sessions. All our programs include both options to maximize support for our clients. Each mode of therapy has its own set of benefits and its own role in helping those struggling with their mental health.
Group therapy is a great way for people diagnosed with Bipolar disorder to meet people going through similar struggles. It helps them understand that they are not alone and there are people out there who are either going through or have gone through the same difficulties.
Since group therapy often includes people at various stages of their treatment, it can help give people insight into what they can expect next. It also acts as a means of hope as you can meet people who were in a similar place as you and are now doing much better.
Since it includes individuals with similar struggles, there is also a sense of community and support provided that only someone who has gone through your experience can provide.
Individual sessions with a psychologist can help people understand their own personal triggers and mental status. It allows them to receive personal care and attention that can allow them to understand their condition in a deeper manner.
It also provides them with the opportunity to get management options and strategies that cater to them specifically.
Medication Management at Phoenix
Medical management plays an essential role in the management of Bipolar Disorder. Medical management for bipolar disorder is lifelong and is very important to avoid the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes and to allow the person to continue functioning with ease.
Mood stabilizers are prescribed for long-term management and antidepressants and medications for manic episodes are added for a short while if an episode occurs. Once the symptoms subside, the patient can be taken off of these medicines but the mood stabilizers need to be continued.
If someone stops taking mood stabilizers without a doctor’s involvement, they can have very serious manic or depressive episodes that are worse than the previous ones.
Medicines for Bipolar disorder often need to be adjusted for each patient to reach a dose that has the best therapeutic action and fewest side effects. Our doctors meet with our clients regularly to monitor their progress, understand their concerns, and then reevaluate the medical management plan.
Bipolar Disorder can be a difficult condition to manage and witness for both the patient and their loved ones, but with the right support, early diagnosis, and effective management, it can be managed well and with minimum symptoms.
Based in Cherry Hill, NJ, Phoenix’s Behavioral Health aims to do exactly all of this in order to make things simpler for people with Bipolar Disorder. Depending on the client’s preference and condition, they can opt for a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program and proceed with their management accordingly.
Since Bipolar disorder requires various forms of management and medical therapy and vigilant monitoring of symptoms, our clients receive all this under one roof. Our staff and doctors in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are dedicated to help out our clients in the best way possible by providing them support in the form of group therapy, individual therapy, and medical management plans.
