Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Los Angeles
We Treat A Wide Range of Patients who
suffer from Mental Health, including Bipolar Disorder
Whether you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorder drug, we are qualified to be able to help you find recovery.
Bipolar disorder affects roughly 5.7 million adult Americans , as data from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) reveals. This is roughly 3 percent of the population over the age of 18. Whereas the average age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25, the condition can be prevalent in teenagers. According to contemporary research, a comparable proportion of adolescents aged 14 to 18 matches the diagnostic threshold for the illness.
The best way to manage the condition is to seek early mental health treatment and manage the symptoms of the mood disorder. If you or a loved one is looking for a bipolar disorder treatment center in Los Angeles, Solace Treatment Center can help.
Understanding
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder a complex mental health condition, significantly impacts individuals’ emotional and psychological well-being by triggering extreme mood swings from manic highs to depressive lows. These mood episodes, characteristic of bipolar disorder, can lead to severe disruptions in daily life, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies. The disorder encompasses various types, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder, each presenting unique challenges and symptoms that require tailored management approaches. Effective management often involves a combination of medication, such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, and psychotherapy, offering a holistic approach to mitigating the intensity of mood fluctuations. Moreover, lifestyle adjustments and support from family and friends play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of bipolar disorder, enhancing the quality of life for those affected.
Understanding the nuances of this mental health condition is vital for reducing stigma and promoting compassionate care, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive education and support systems. Ultimately, with proper treatment and support, individuals with bipolar disorder can lead fulfilling lives, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing this condition in mental health discussions.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder include depressive episodes such as:
- Sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness
- Changes in appetite, metabolism, and weight
- Problems with insomnia or oversleeping
- Engaging in risky behaviors when under the influence
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and Guilt
- Irritability and agitation
- Lack of motivation and interest in exciting activities
- Inability to meet life's obligations and responsibilities
Manic signs and symptoms can include:
- Increased energy
- Sleeping problems
- Intense happiness and euphoria
- Distracted mind, sometimes due to boredom
- Hyper-sexuality
- Trouble focusing
- Racing thoughts
- Rapid speech, often bouncing around in topics
- Aggressive planning and expectations for the future
Navigating the highs and lows of bipolar disorder poses significant challenges, as individuals may experience periods of heightened energy and impulsivity during a manic episode, contrasted sharply by feelings of hopelessness and inactivity during depressive phases. These extreme shifts in mood and behavior highlight the critical importance of early detection and proactive intervention in managing bipolar disorder effectively.
Engaging with a skilled mental health professional is essential for obtaining an accurate diagnosis, which is the first step toward a tailored treatment plan. Such plans often include a combination of pharmacological treatments, like mood stabilizers and antidepressants, alongside psychotherapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy, to address the full spectrum of bipolar symptoms.
Implementing lifestyle modifications and stress management techniques can significantly contribute to stabilizing mood swings and improving overall well-being. Establishing a robust support network, including family, friends, and support groups, also plays a pivotal role in the recovery journey, providing emotional support and understanding. Ultimately, with the right combination of professional help, medication, therapy, and support, individuals with bipolar disorder can achieve stability and lead productive, fulfilling lives, underscoring the importance of recognizing and treating this complex condition.
Treatment Options
for Bipolar Disorder
Treatment for people with bipolar disorder depends on several things, as medication by itself is insufficient. It is critical to enlighten yourself about the condition, interact with your doctors and therapists, get a strong support system, and aid yourself by making good lifestyle decisions that may lessen any need for comprehensive medication, to get the most out of treatments.
It is also critical to adhere to your treatment plan and reevaluate with your clinician when changes happen. If your clinician confirms that you or a beloved one has bipolar disorder, they will discuss potential treatment options with you and may write prescriptions.
Your doctor could recommend another mental health practitioner, such as a psychologist, counselor, or bipolar disorder consultant, for you. Nonetheless, you and your care providers will collaborate to produce a custom treatment regimen.
Medications
Bipolar disorder is treated with a variety of drugs. Doctors prescribe varying medications and dosages depending on the specific symptoms. Such include:
- Antipsychotics – If depression symptoms or mania continue despite treatment with other prescriptions, using antipsychotic medication may be beneficial. Your clinician may prescribe a few of these drugs alone or their combination with mood stabilizers.
- Mood stabilizers – To manage manic or hypomanic outbursts, one almost always needs mood-stabilizing medications, which may include lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazepine, or lamotrigine.
- Antidepressant-antipsychotic – Symbyax is a depressive prescription and mood stabilizer that mixes the antidepressant fluoxetine with the antipsychotic olanzapine.
- Antidepressants – To help treat depression, your treatment could include antidepressants. Antidepressants frequently work alongside a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic, since they can occasionally precipitate a manic episode.
- Anti-anxiety – Benzodiazepines can help with anxiety and sleep, although doctors normally administer them for a limited time.
Traditional Psychotherapy
According to studies, individuals who receive bipolar disorder prescriptions and simultaneously undergo various therapies are much more likely to recover quickly and stay well.
Therapy educates a patient on how to address the issues that their afflictions create, such as troubles in relationships, employment, and even with their self-esteem. This also deals with any other issues the patient experiences, like substance misuse or anxiousness.
The following therapies are very beneficial when treating bipolar disorders.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
For this type of therapy, you assess how your perceptions influence your feelings in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). You will also discover how to transform destructive thought and behavioral patterns into much more positive responses. The emphasis for bipolar disorder treatment is on symptom management, minimizing relapsing stimuli, as well as problem-solving.
Family-focused therapy
Dealing with a bipolar individual can be challenging, putting pressure on family and marital associations. Family-focused therapy addresses these concerns, which aims to restore a warm and nurturing family environment. One of the most important aspects of treatment is teaching close relatives about the condition and how to deal with its manifestations. Working through problems in the home and improving communication is also a focus of treatment.
Types of
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder
A manic episode, or a mix of manic and mixed symptoms, lasting at least seven days or severe enough to require hospitalization. Oftentimes, depressive symptoms will occur as well and last up to two weeks.
Bipolar II Disorder
This type of bipolar disorder manifests itself as a pattern of depressive episode and hypomanic episode without any full-blown manic or mixed symptoms. As opposed to mania, hypomania lacks psychotic features and grandiosity and is less disruptive to functioning.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia is a lesser form of bipolar disorder that involves episodes of hypomania and mild depression. These symptoms have to occur for at least two years.
Helping a Loved One
with Bipolar Disorder
First, support them in receiving the diagnosis and treatment by scheduling an appointment, escorting them to the doctor’s office, and fostering them to complete their treatment.
Here is how you can assist a friend or relative:
- Provide emotional support, fortitude, and reassurance
- Listen to feelings expressed by your companion and appreciate circumstances that may trigger symptoms
- Talk to them and show empathy
- Take your loved one out for healthy activities, including hikes, trips, and other pastimes.
- Assure them that with patience and treatment, they will recover soon.
- Never dismiss remarks regarding self-harm. You should always report these remarks to a therapist or doctor.
Bipolar disorders, as with other chronic ailments, can be challenging for partners, families, acquaintances, and other companions. This often forces family and friends to deal with the patient’s substantial behavioral issues, including out-of-control mania, excessive isolation during the depression, or poor academic and work productivity.
These actions may have long-term implications, especially for caregivers looking after their medical needs. Therefore, they must consider how this influences their own well-being. Besides, stress among caregivers can cause missed work or wasted spare time, tense relations with others who do not comprehend the predicament, and physical and emotional tiredness.
It is difficult to deal with bipolar episodes when they manifest in someone you love. According to one report, when a caregiver is stressed out, their patients or loved ones have a harder time sticking to the treatment program, which raises the risk of a significant bipolar outburst. So, as you care of someone with bipolar disorder, it is critical that you take better care of yourself as well.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Whittier
with Solace Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a life-altering condition that requires swift and efficient care and management. This is exactly what you can get at Solace Treatment Center, an outpatient co-occurring disorder treatment center that treats substance abuse and mental health for those who are ready to move forward with their healing. Our team of seasoned specialists is available to assist you or a loved one in adjusting to a new healthy lifestyle.
For effective direction and care, the phase that comes after detoxification and primarily residential therapy is critical. This is why, at Solace Treatment, we endeavor to use all appropriate and effective treatments to try and give you your life back. All you have to do now is get in touch with us today to get started on your treatment.
FAQs about Bipolar Disorder
and BPD Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood swings can affect sleep, energy levels, behavior, judgment, and the ability to think clearly.
There are three main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder. Bipolar I involves periods of severe mood episodes from mania to depression. A pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes marks bipolar II. Still, not the full-blown manic episodes that are typical of Bipolar I. Cyclothymic Disorder involves periods of hypomanic symptoms as well as periods of depressive symptoms for at least two years (one year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for hypomanic and depressive episodes.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but a combination of genetics, environment, altered brain structure, and chemistry may play a role. Stress, traumatic events, or a significant life change can sometimes trigger a manic or depressive episode in people with a predisposition to the disorder.
Diagnosis involves a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional, including a psychiatric assessment, a medical history review, and sometimes, physical exams and lab tests to rule out other conditions. A detailed history of mood swings and their impact on daily functioning is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment typically includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Medications may include mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and antidepressants. Psychotherapy options can consist of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, and family therapy. Lifestyle changes and support groups can also be beneficial.
While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, effective treatment can significantly manage symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of mood swings. Many people with bipolar disorder lead productive lives with the appropriate treatment plan.
Lifestyle adjustments that can help manage bipolar disorder include maintaining a routine, getting regular exercise, keeping a stable sleep schedule, avoiding drugs and alcohol, monitoring moods and symptoms, and practicing stress management techniques.
Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider to weigh the risks and benefits of taking medication for bipolar disorder during pregnancy. Some medications may carry risks to the fetus, and a healthcare provider can help determine the safest treatment plan.
Family and friends can offer crucial support by being understanding, patient, and encouraging. They can help their loved one adhere to treatment, provide emotional support, help monitor their symptoms, and encourage them to talk about their feelings. Educating themselves about bipolar disorder can also offer insights into the challenges faced by their loved ones.
