Bipolar Disorder Treatment

The Types of Bipolar Disorder

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Cyclothymic Disorder

 

Cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia is a condition that is characterized by depressive symptoms and hypomanic symptoms. The condition is different from the others because the symptoms do not last as long, and they aren’t as intense. This type of bipolar disorder in adults lasts a minimum of two years, and this type of bipolar disorder in children or teenagers lasts for about one year.

 

Bipolar I

 

Bipolar I disorder consists of manic symptoms that last for one week. They may be so severe that they require the person to be hospitalized. People with bipolar I disorder may also experience depressive symptoms, and these symptoms may last as long as 14 days. The symptoms can also be mixed at times.

 

Bipolar II

 

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by depressive episodes. Rather than manic episodes, a person with bipolar II disorder will experience hypomania. Symptoms of hypomania are not as severe as the symptoms of mania.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

 

Depressive symptoms include the following:

 

• Contemplating suicide or death

• Having no interest in the things you used to enjoy and being unable to do even the smallest things

• Not eating enough or eating too much

• Excessive sleeping

• Not having any energy

• Forgetting, talking too little or talking very slowly

• Isolating yourself or feeling lonely

• Feeling hopeless, sad or worthless

 

Mania symptoms include the following:

 

• Engaging in risky behavior, like having unsafe sex, giving away or spending a lot of your money, and drinking or eating too much

• Believing that you have exceptional powers or talents and that you are especially important

• Sleeping less

• Having a mind that races and very fast speech

• Being particularly irritable or having a short temper

• Being particularly active and feeling wired or jumpy

• Feeling elated and high

Some people also experience mixed symptoms. This is when depressive symptoms and manic symptoms occur at the same time. For example, a person may feel sad and hopeless at the same time that she feels very energetic.

 

Mania and hypomania are two different episodes, but they have the same symptoms. Because mania is more severe than hypomania, mania causes those experiencing it to have difficulties in their jobs or at school; it also leads to problems in their relationships. Mania can be much more serious and cause the person to experience a break with reality, and this may lead to the need to be hospitalized.

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens

 

Family members have a difficult time recognizing symptoms of bipolar disorder in kids. The ups and downs that young people experience may be entirely normal, or they may be because the kid in question is feeling stressed or was traumatized in some way. Their symptoms may also be the result of a mental health disorder that is not bipolar disorder.

 

Moods can shift dramatically in children and teenagers, and they may not experience any symptoms at all in between their manic and depressive episodes. People can recognize bipolar disorder in kids if their mood swings are noticeably more severe than their usual moods.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

 

Our psychiatrist with Sparks Wellness Group will diagnose you or your loved one and decide on a treatment. Your physician may begin by managing your symptoms with the following:

 

Medication

 

The beginning of the treatment process often starts with managing your symptoms, so your physician can prescribe medications that will balance your moods. Even though you will start to feel balanced after you begin this treatment, it will need to continue for the rest of your life. This means that you will need treatment during the times when you are not experiencing any episodes. That’s because, if you do not maintain your treatment schedule, your symptoms may relapse. It can also cause your minor mood changes to become manic or depressive episodes.

 

Mood stabilizers are one option. These work to control your manic and hypomanic episodes. There are several examples, including Lamictal, Tegretol, Depakote and Lithobid. Antidepressants may be prescribed to treat your depressive episodes. Antidepressants may cause manic episodes, so you or your loved one will also be prescribed a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic.

 

In addition to medication, treatment for bipolar disorder also requires that you receive psychotherapy. The types that work well for those with bipolar disorder include the following:

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy

 

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy or IPSRT teaches people with bipolar disorder to stabilize their daily rhythms, including the sleep cycle, the wake cycle and eating times. When people follow a regular routine, they can manage their moods better. This includes setting a regular schedule for when you will eat, sleep and exercise.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

 

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT assists those diagnosed with bipolar disorder with recognizing unhealthy and negative behaviors and beliefs and replacing those behaviors with those that are positive and healthy. This is also the time when you will discover the triggers that cause your symptoms to appear. Then, CBT provides you with actions you can take to manage stressful or upsetting situations.

Family Therapy

 

Family therapy encourages your family members to support your loved one and effectively communicate with him or her. This therapy is instrumental in helping people stick to their treatment plans and teaching those around your loved one to recognize when he or she is experiencing an episode. Then, you can learn how to help manage these periods of time.

 

Spark Wellness Group is a psychiatric group that is located in Orlando, Florida. Our psychiatrist received his degree in child and adolescent psychiatry in 2014 and is a board-certified psychiatrist. If you are searching for help for a loved one or you believe that you have bipolar disorder, contact us today, or email us to schedule a consultation.