Bipolar Disorder Treatment Program in South Jersey

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder Treatment Program in South Jersey

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by cycles of “high” and “low” moods. These high and low periods, called manic episodes and depressive episodes, can vary in their intensity but nonetheless share one trait: they disrupt ordinary living, strain relationships, and harm one’s mental and emotional health and well-being.

If you or a loved one suffer from this chronic condition, know that many an expert has developed a bipolar disorder treatment program for your specific needs.

The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The symptoms of bipolar disorder overlap with those of other mood disorders. Let’s begin by looking at the manic phase. During this high mood, individuals may:

Feel happy and more active than usual
Become easily irritated
Have a racing mind
Talk rapidly and compulsively (“pressured speech”)
Multi-task and take more risks than usual
Have delusions of being famous, important, or talented

On the other hand, individuals in the depressive phase may:

Feel sad, without energy, and without hope
Lose all sense of self-worth
Isolate themselves
Feel lonely even in the midst of company
Lose interest in activities that once engaged them
Talk slowly and vaguely or disconnectedly

The two phases do not always exclude one another either. Individuals may suffer from so-called mixed episodes, which exhibit both manic and depressive symptoms. It may happen that a person feels sad and hopeless while at the same time a flurry of activity. Oftentimes, people suspect nothing wrong with themselves but actually need a bipolar disorder treatment program.

The Effects of Bipolar Disorder

If such individuals do not receive a bipolar disorder treatment nearby, they will soon see how the condition affects their daily living. The effects, one should remember, will go beyond the usual ups and downs that everyone experiences during stressful times.

Individuals with bipolar disorder may, for instance, need less sleep during their manic phase but sleep in more during the depressive phase. In severe depressions, they may find it close to impossible to get out of bed. Eating habits change, too. Many go on eating binges during the manic phase while neglecting to eat in the depressive phase. (Eating too much is possible in the depressive phase as well.)

Both phases can lead to situations that threaten one’s life or financial security. In their high mood, individuals may get drunk or give away large sums of money on a whim. When they enter their low mood, they may entertain thoughts of suicide.

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The Types of Bipolar Disorder

Three types of bipolar disorder exist, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder. Mental health professionals have come up with this distinction based on the severity of the manic and depressive episodes. The average bipolar disorder treatment program can treat any of these types.

Bipolar I Disorder

Experts define bipolar I disorder, the most severe form, based on its manic episode. To qualify as bipolar I disorder, the manic episode must last seven or more days or put the person into a hospital. Regarding the depressive episode, it typically qualifies as a major depressive episode, lasting as long as two weeks. Mixed symptoms may appear in a case of bipolar I disorder, too.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II disorder manifests itself in one depressive episode and one hypomanic, rather than a manic, episode. Hypomanic episodes refer to less severe manic episodes that do not impair daily functioning. So while the high moods may not reach so high, the low moods typically go very low in this type of bipolar disorder.

Cyclothymic Disorder

This type shows itself in brief, mild, but still frequent cycles of manic and depressive episodes. The episodes must reveal themselves to be so mild as not to qualify for a full-blown depressive episode or a hypomanic episode. The duration of the cycle must also exceed two years for professionals to diagnose the condition as a cyclothymic disorder.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder

Mental health experts have yet to find any cause of bipolar disorder, but they have pinpointed multiple factors that could converge and increase the chances of getting it. Genetics seem to play a role as those with a family history of the condition tend to suffer from it. In particular, having a parent or a sibling with it greatly increases the chances.

Issues with brain circuits and with brain chemicals like norepinephrine (a stress hormone) and serotonin (a hormone that regulates mood and has connections with eating, sleeping, sexual activity, and more) can trigger a bipolar episode as well.

One may also become more susceptible to bipolar disorder if one incurred trauma as a child. This includes:

Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Bereavement

Even as adults, suffering from a traumatic event like a car accident or a natural disaster or living through a stressful situation like job loss or a break-up can make one vulnerable. Fortunately, a bipolar disorder treatment program could help.

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Treating Bipolar Disorder

Though it has no cure, one can manage its symptoms with a form of bipolar disorder treatment nearby. Some combination of medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy) will provide a long-term solution.

Individual Therapy

This involves regular one-on-one conversations between the patient and a licensed therapist. The patient opens up about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that have led to the need for a bipolar disorder treatment program, and the therapist helps the patient develop ways to cope with those problems that interfere with daily living.

Group Therapy

Here, a group of bipolar disorder patients can speak with a therapist, or therapists, as well as with each other. The hope is that meeting others with similar struggles can encourage one to progress and master whatever obstacles keep one from a healthy lifestyle.

Family therapy and couples therapy are two other forms of group therapy but involve only one therapist. Families and couples who take advantage of this kind of bipolar disorder treatment nearby may, over time, learn how to resolve communication problems in particular.

Holistic Therapy

You could consider a bipolar disorder treatment program that offers holistic alternatives to medications, including guided meditations, exercises, and the taking of supplements like fish oil capsules.

Contact Renewed Light Today

You want a bipolar disorder treatment program because you or a loved one desire healing. At Renewed Light, we would love to aid you on this journey. Call today for a bipolar disorder treatment nearby you.