Bipolar Disorder Treatment

What is a Bipolar Disorder?

Once called "manic depressive illness," bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood changes. The shifts can affect your energy levels, sleep patterns, behavior, and concentration, as well as your moods. 

Often, people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed in their late teens or early twenties. However, the condition can affect those of all ages and it's possible to be diagnosed later in life. Once diagnosed, treatment for bipolar disorder usually lasts for the rest of a person's life. 

Bipolar disorder symptoms vary depending on the type of episode you're experiencing. During a manic episode, when you are on the "high" side, you may feel:

• Intensely happy, euphoric, or excited
• Wired or jumpy
• Like you can't sleep
• Distracted
• Overly confident in yourself
• Agitated or irritable
• Impulsive

Manic episodes may be accompanied by impulsive, risky behaviors, such as spending a lot of money or having unprotected sex.

The symptoms you may experience during a depressive episode are often the opposite of what you see during a manic episode. They include:

• A loss of interest in your usual activities
• Feeling down, worried, or depressed
• Feeling tired
• Having trouble concentrating or easily forgetting things
• Appetite changes
• Thoughts of death

Occasionally, people with bipolar disorder can experience both depressive and manic symptoms at the same time. 

Whether you're experiencing a manic or depressive episode, your symptoms can interfere with your life, making it difficult for you to work, interact with your friends and family, or do other things you enjoy.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Three types of bipolar disorder exist. Each type involves periods of extreme moods, with periods when a person has fewer symptoms. The main difference between each type is the severity of the moods.

• Bipolar I disorder: With bipolar I disorder, a person has manic episodes for at least seven days or symptoms that are severe enough to require immediate medical attention. Depressive episodes can also occur, and usually last at least two weeks. Some people may have mixed symptoms, with episodes of depression combined with manic symptoms. 

• Bipolar II disorder: With bipolar II disorder, a person's manic episodes are less severe than those experienced with bipolar I disorder. 
• Cyclothymic disorder: With cyclothymic disorder, the mood swings and symptoms aren't as intense or as long-lasting as those experienced with bipolar I or bipolar II.

A fourth type of bipolar disorder is unspecified bipolar. It occurs when a person experiences bipolar symptoms that don't fully fit into the three categories above. 

Comprehensive Treatment Programs

As there are multiple types of bipolar disorder, there are multiple treatment approaches that can be effective. Banyan Mental Health offers a range of treatments, from residential, and in-patient care to outpatient programs. We use a combination of evidence-based therapies and holistic, mind-body approaches to help you manage your symptoms and live your best life. 

Examples of the individualized treatment programs we offer include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most commonly used forms of talk therapy for bipolar disorder. During CBT, you work with a therapist to develop coping skills to help you manage and respond to symptoms, stick to your medication schedule, and deal with stress.

Medication Management

Many people with bipolar disorder take medications to manage their symptoms and minimize mood swings. Often, medications include an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer. The medications you need may change over time, so it's important to remain in contact with your healthcare team. 

Holistic Approaches

Banyan Mental Health takes a whole-person approach to treating bipolar disorder. During your time with us, we offer complementary therapies such as art and music therapy, equine therapy, and pet therapy to help you cope with symptoms. We also offer meditation and yoga to improve the mind-body connection.

Benefits of Our Bipolar Disorder Treatment Programs

Treating bipolar disorder can make a huge difference in your quality of life. Finding the right treatment program, whether it's a residential treatment or outpatient bipolar treatment, is crucial for your success.

The key to a successful treatment is understanding that every patient's needs are unique. That's why we focus on the individual. When you reach out to us, we put together an individual treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and the type of bipolar disorder you have. 

When you have bipolar disorder, you need treatment throughout your life. Finding a program that works for you is a must to ensure you stick with it and can live the life you deserve.

Just look at what a few of our patients have had to say about their treatment programs:

• "I didn't know where to turn, but was tired of the ups and downs in my life. Banyan Mental Health's inpatient treatment for bipolar disorder helped me get control over my symptoms and develop the skills I need to move forward in life." - Alicia, patient
• "When my sister started acting up, calling my house at 3 in the morning or disappearing for days at a time, I was scared. I didn't know what to do at first, or how to help her. I reached out to Banyan Mental Health, and they connected me to a program that had helped to reduce her symptoms. Today, we attend therapy together and are working on rebuilding her life." - Martha, sibling to a patient