Bipolar Disorder Treatment – PROMIS Clinic

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterised by rapid changes in mood from extreme highs to extreme lows – these are referred to as mania and depression. They typically present themselves in what they call “episodes” and have the tendency to switch from one to another really quickly – these are usually called mood swings. 

A person suffering from bipolar can have extreme lows, or a depressive episode if you will, then almost out of nowhere switch to a manic episode where they are full of energy or unusually irritable.

These episodes are not consistent for every person suffering from this condition and can sometimes be rather sporadic – with some people experiencing one or two episodes a year, and others multiple times.

The severity can depend on varying factors and someone with bipolar may or may not experience emotional symptoms between their episodes of mania and depression however, it’s important to note that bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that is typically considered treatable rather than curable.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

To get a clearer understanding of what bipolar episodes of mania or depression are, let’s elaborate a little on their meaning and what symptoms can be expected to arise from each one.

Depression

It’s common to receive a depression diagnosis prior to bipolar itself – although this is not always the case, depression is generally more common as statistics will tell us that more people are affected by depression than bipolar.

Anyhow, an episode of depression typically consists of symptoms that noticeably affect and disrupt a person’s life through feelings of extreme low. 

They can interfere with all aspects of life such as; school, work, relationships, social activities or any other type of life event in general. Here are some of the main symptoms that are associated with bipolar depression episodes:

• General depressed feelings of sadness and hopelessness that are often accompanied by feelings of worthlessness and inappropriate guilt
• The loss of interest in activities – sometimes the loss of pleasure in other parts of life like relationships
• Acquiring the inability to sleep – often referred to as insomnia or sleeping to much where you can’t get out of bed
• The loss of appetite and extreme weight loss – or the contrary
• Fatigue and loss of energy or inertia 
•  Feelings of restlessness
• Becoming extremely indecisive
• The worst case scenario – attempting self-harm or even suicide 

Mania

Manic or hypomanic episodes are the opposite of depression – the extreme high. Although manic and hypomanic episodes share the same symptoms, it’s important to note that manic episodes are generally higher in intensity and typically more severe in comparison to hypomanic episodes.

Manic episodes have been known to cause psychotic episodes which have symptoms of psychosis that are characterised by experiences that are out of reality; such as hearing voices, imagining surreal things and being convinced of untruthful facts.

As with depressive episodes, manic and hypomanic episodes disrupt a person’s life in many ways; here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Extreme feelings of happiness or joy
• An abundance of energy and ideas
• Feelings of euphoria and extreme confidence
• Becoming impulsive like spending vast amounts of money or making poor decisions
• Racing thoughts and talking very quickly
• Becoming easily annoyed or irritated
• Loss of appetite and the need to sleep

TYPES OF BIPOLAR

With that said, there are various types of bipolar disorder which are divided into subcategories of the condition depending on their severity and the symptoms that are experienced; although these classifications are not recognised by the same name everywhere in the world, they are a good indicator to describe the degree of severity in terms of classification.

Bipolar I Disorder

This type of bipolar disorder consists of the following;

• A minimum of one manic episode that has lasted for over a week
• A case of hypomanic or depressive episode – although this is not the case for everyone

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II is as follows:

• A minimum of one depressive episode
• At least one episode of hypomania lasting a few days

Cyclothymia

This term is classified for people who have experienced symptoms of both depressive and hypomanic episodes over the course of two years however the symptoms are generally not severe enough to be categorised into either bipolar I or bipolar II – although cyclothymia can develop into bipolar disorder, especially if left untreated.

Mental health is a broad spectrum and when we think of severity, we mustn’t rush to conclusions when categorising these terms for how “bad” they are.

Neither of these conditions is worse than one another and therefore, all conditions should be treated with respect as they can have a detrimental impact on the individual if they suspect their particular diagnosis is subsidiary.

When To Get Help

Once you begin to experience symptoms of this mood disorder and it starts taking over your life; so much so that it’s disrupting your work and social aspects of life, then perhaps it’s a sign that it’s time to seek help – bipolar disorder doesn’t cure itself and treatment may be necessary.

Although depression symptoms arise in most people during their lives, depression in bipolar disorder is considered to be manic depression which has tendencies to be far greater and more extreme than the general type.

To best manage bipolar disorder and its manic symptoms it’s crucial to get bipolar treatment – if you’re yet to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder then it’s important to seek advice from your GP. 

Can Bipolar Be Treated? 

The good news is yes – it can absolutely be treated and there are a wide range of options! A treatment plan is usually formulated by a healthcare professional that consists of various methods that help manage mood symptoms and identify what triggers a manic episode in the particular individual. 

Treatment Options

Treatment for bipolar disorder is vast and covers multiple angles including psychiatric treatment with various types of therapy from mental health professionals, and a range of certain medications that help manage symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Both types of treatment are effective however bipolar disorders are often complex issues which require the knowledge of an expert in the field to determine the best course of treatment.

Here are some of the best treatment options out there.

MedicationS

There are a number of highly effective medications that are used to treat bipolar disorder – they tend to have different functions which act in certain ways depending on the symptoms experienced by the user. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Mood Stabilisers

These medications are used to stabilise shifts in mood and have a variety of different options – they generally help to control manic and depressive symptoms. Here are some examples of common mod stabilisers:

• Lithium – Lithium is probably the most commonly prescribed drug to treat bipolar disorder in the UK – lithium is used as a long-term treatment and in order for it to be effective, the dosage must be correct otherwise it can lead to side effects that include vomiting and diarrhea. 

There are other types of long-term mood stabilisers that are less common nevertheless, they are prescribed; here are the other types.

• Valproate
• Carbamazepine
• Lamotrigine

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotic drugs are also prescribed as a long-term treatment option – often alongside mood stabilisers and help reduce symptoms of mania. Here are some common types:

• Haloperidol
• Olanzapine
• Quetiapine
• Risperidone

Antidepressants

Antidepressant drugs are sometimes prescribed along with a mood stabiliser to treat depression however, they can actually trigger manic episodes at times so they’re prescribed under caution so as to not interfere with medications that are already being taken.

Psychotherapy

Although bipolar disorder medications can be an effective treatment, it’s also important to consider different types of therapy to either run alongside or as an alternative option for bipolar treatment.

Psychological treatment programs include various types of talking therapies that aim to discuss some of the issues – they’re done in different settings either; individual, group or family settings.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This is a form of talking therapy with an experienced psychotherapist who can help you manage your problems and provide guidance on how to change your thinking and behavioural patterns.

Individual Therapy

This form of therapy consists of a one-to-one setting for those who have extremely personal issues. The therapist focuses on one client at a time without the distractions of others.

Group Therapy

This particular setting provides groups of people who share similar experiences to discuss their problems together, often finding a sense of empathy, support and reassurance.

Family Therapy

This type of therapy allows family members to join the sessions so they can recognise how triggers work and help manage signs of mood swings.

PROMIS Clinic

Bipolar disorder may be hindering your day-to-day life, causing you problems wherever you however, it’s important to know that you are not on your own and help is out there.

PROMIS Clinic offers a wide range of treatments that help our patients who suffer from this vicious condition achieve peace and live prosperous lives – without the constant disruptions that are relative to bipolar disorder.

Our specialist team of accredited clinicians and therapists have treated many clients with huge success rates.

Those already with a diagnosis can choose to be seen by one of the psychiatrists or psychologists available, although we can also provide support for those who have not been clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder but feel they may need assistance with handling their symptoms. 

Our therapy is designed specifically for you – contact us today and begin the journey to a better future.