Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Get help NOW. Discover treatments for bipolar disorder symptoms at Lakeview Health.

Bipolar disorder symptoms can have a serious impact on your life. But thankfully, bipolar disorder symptoms can be treated and you can recover. Get the help you deserve. Call 1-800-231-2950. The treatments at Lakeview Health are designed to help those suffering from bipolar disorder symptoms and get them back into a healthy lifestyle. For immediate assistance, call 1-800-231-2950 now. Our staff is available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and every call is kept entirely confidential.

Bipolar Disorder Treatments

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a psychiatric illness that creates extreme shifts in a person's ability to function, energy and mood. These changes may be dramatic or subtle and typically vary over the course of a person's life. Over 13 million people in America have bipolar disorder, with the illness affecting men and women equally. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition with recurring episodes of mania and depression that can last from days to months. Most people generally require some sort of psychiatric treatment and if drug abuse or alcohol abuse are involved, dual diagnosis treatment. While medication is one key element in successful psychiatric or dual diagnosis treatment of bipolar disorder, psychotherapy, support, and education about the illness are also essential components of the dual diagnosis treatment process.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Mania:

Mania is the word that describes the activated phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of mania may include:

• An elated, happy mood or an irritable, angry mood
• Increased physical and mental activity and energy
• Risk taking
• Increased talking and rapid speech
• Decreased sleep without fatigue
• Racing thoughts
• Impulsive spending sprees, sexual indiscretion, and alcohol abuse
• Grandiose plans

Depression:

Depression is the other phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of depression may include:

• Restlessness and irritability
• Increased feelings of worry or anxiety
• Decreased activity and energy
• Loss of appetite
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Prolonged sadness
• Less interest or participation in, and less enjoyment of activities normally enjoyed
• Feelings of guilt and hopelessness
• Thoughts of suicide
• Change in appetite (either eating more or eating less)
• Change in sleep patterns (either sleeping more or sleeping less)

Rapid Cycling:

Sometimes individuals may experience an increased frequency of episodes. When four or more episodes of illness occur within a 12-month period, the individual is said to have bipolar disorder symptoms with rapid cycling. Rapid cycling is more common in women. It is not uncommon for people to turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to manage the rapid cycling. When this occurs many people become dependent on these substances, resulting in a dual diagnosis. In these cases, when seeking treatment, one should look into drug rehab or alcohol rehab with a dual diagnosis treatment component. The psychiatrist in the drug rehab or alcohol rehab should be trained in addiction treatment.

What are the Causes of Bipolar Disorder Symptoms?

While the exact causes of bipolar disorder are not known, many physicians believe that bipolar disorder symptoms are the result of a chemical imbalance affecting certain parts of the brain. Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and it is believed there is a genetic component to the illness. A stressful environment or negative life events may interact with an underlying genetic or biological vulnerability to produce the disorder.

What Types of Bipolar Disorder Treatments are Available?

While there is no cure for the illness, there are bipolar disorder treatments available. Medication is an essential element of successful treatment for people with bipolar disorder symptoms. For those using drugs and alcohol along with their bipolar disorder (dual diagnosis), admission into an inpatient drug rehab, alcohol rehab, addiction treatment program or dual diagnosis treatment program might be indicated. Most people suffering from drug or alcohol addiction might require detox from those substances before the bipolar disorder treatment can proceed. An effective dual diagnosis treatment program will utilize group and individual therapy, family therapy, educational and medication management classes to promote a greater understanding of the dual diagnosis process and bipolar disorder symptoms.

If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis program specializing in bipolar disorder treatments, call Lakeview Health Systems now at 1-800-231-2950. All calls are completely confidential and our staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day.