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Bipolar Disorder
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by changing moods, concentration, activity levels, and energy. It prevents people from doing what they normally do each day. It requires that they obtain treatment for bipolar disorder so that they can live their lives.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
The symptoms of bipolar disorder are changes in a person’s activity levels, changes in the person’s energy levels, and changes in the person’s moods. We call these symptoms “manic episodes.” During manic episodes, the person appears to be extremely high, but when these episodes end, the person experiences depressive episodes. Depressive episodes are characterized by feelings of hopelessness, indifference, or sadness.
Hypomanic episodes are manic episodes that aren’t as severe.
What are the different types of bipolar disorders?
There are three different types of bipolar disorders, including the following:
- Bipolar I Disorder: When a person receives a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, he experiences manic episodes that last at least seven days. It also manifests itself as extremely severe manic episodes. The only thing to do for this person is to admit him to the psychiatric hospital. The disorder also causes depressive episodes, and these typically last for about 14 days. Some people have manic symptoms and depressive symptoms at the same time.
- Bipolar II Disorder: A person diagnosed with bipolar II disorder experiences depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, but the manic symptoms are not as troublesome as the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder. That is why manic symptoms in bipolar II disorder are known as “hypomanic” symptoms.
- Cyclothymic Disorder: Medical professionals diagnose an adult with this disorder after he or she experiences hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms for two years. In contrast, they diagnose children and adolescents with the disorder after they experience these symptoms for at least one year.
How does someone develop bipolar disorder?
Scientists don’t know what causes someone to develop bipolar disorder, but they believe that there are several different causes. For example, the way that the patient’s brain is structured may cause bipolar disorder.
Also, how the patient’s brain functions also may be the cause. The research studies show that there are significant differences between the brains of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder and those not diagnosed with the condition.
The cause could also be related to a patient’s genes. The research studies found that certain genes are responsible for the development of the disorder. The studies also show that children or siblings of patients with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop it than people without a family history.
What treatment for bipolar disorder is there?
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Florida includes the following:
Inpatient Treatment
Someone experiencing Bipolar Disorder has the opportunity to live in a treatment center near them and receive inpatient treatment. Often someone suffering from Bipolar Disorder may have a co-occurring disorder that also requires evaluation. An inpatient treatment center offers round the clock medical and clinical support and is the best place for someone newly diagnosed or with a history of uncontrolled episodes.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows you or your loved one to participate in every therapy session while living in a structured halfway house or in their own home. This form of treatment is best for those individuals further along in the understanding of their diagnosis and management. During this stage a perosn may reintegrate with their responsibilities such as work or school.
Individual Psychotherapy
Your loved one learns about their specific type of Bipolar Disorder and how to make decisions regarding the life long management and navigation of the disorder.
Group Therapy
Your loved one enters into therapy with their peers and has the benefit of the support that other people experiencing the same challenges can give them. Sharing life experiences through group therapy can help those with a mental health condition such as Bipolar Disorder identify and correct their own behavior.
Family Therapy
You and your other family members will be invited to participate in family therapy sessions that teach everyone how to communicate more effectively. These sessions help heal the past with an ultimate goal of reunification.
Receiving Help from Agape Behavioral
If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment for bipolar disorder in Florida contact us, and we will be happy to give you more information about our program and the admissions process.
