Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Due to the broad spectrum it exists on, bipolar disorder can be quite tricky for the untrained observer to discern, accurately. So broad is the spectrum, in fact, it’s seen the designation of a Type I and Type II diagnosis.

The main difference between the two is how the episodes of mania are experienced. For the person with type I, their manic episodes are classed are ‘mania,’ while the type II sufferer’s version is referred to as, ‘hypomania.’ Both will display inflated self-esteem, (grandiosity), decreased sleep, talkativeness, inspired creativity, racing thoughts, and an increase in goal-oriented activities.

In type I, there is an increased detachment from the world, marked by an indulgence in fantasy, suspicion and paranoia. These sorts of heightened mood states are much harder to manage, sometimes necessitating hopsitalisation, meaning the sufferer can be more reliant on medication than those suffering with type II. Type I sufferers often find it hard leading a functional life, due to the cognitive impairment they endure while in their manic state. This can, and often does, lead to them becoming isolated, living on the fringes of society unable to fit in.

Type II sufferers, on the other hand, experience higher functioning hypomania. While they’re still prone to the same symptoms associated with type I, the intensity is significantly reduced, meaning they’re ‘more’ in tune with reality. The flights of fancy and grandiosity will still be present, as well as the lack of choice in when these episodes take place, but they’re much more manageable. Episodes of hypomania are distracting but occur without any lasting impairment.

However, this doesn’t make a diagnosis of type II bipolar any easier to live with, as some people mistakenly believe. It’s thought due to the higher-functioning hypomania, a relatively normal life can be led, which in that respect at least, it can. But the unfortunate consequence of type II is with being more of a chronic condition compared with type I. Periods of depression last for much longer and with greater frequency, making it harder to engage in daily activities, due to the underlying sense of apathy – similar to unipolar depression. And in fact, it has been reported type II’s experience far more low points even those with unipolar depression. Type II may be less intense, but creates more dysfunction over the long-term.

The key to successfully managing any mental health condition long-term is knowing what your patterns are, so you can interrupt them with more benign and beneficial habits/actions. Bipolar is no different from most other mental conditions in that once you identify the triggers, you then cease to be a victim of circumstance. Although the exact cause of bipolar is still unknown, it’s thought that factors such as genes, brain structure, along with stress responses and management all play a major role. And from this, it’s been observed that various lifestyle and environmental factors are most responsible for the onset of a bipolar episode.

1. Changes in Sleep Patterns or Lack of Sleep
Sleep can often be a hard trigger to confirm the onset of bipolar when taken in isolation, as it can both act as an early warning sign as well as a symptom of an episode itself. However, if you’re consciously putting yourself in situations where you’re missing out on good quality regular sleep, you could be putting yourself at a higher risk of experiencing a recurrence of a mood-related episode. That means those who work night shifts and people who burn the midnight oil need to be very careful how far they allow themselves to stay awake late into the evening.

2. Huge Blowout Arguments with Co-Workers, Partners, or Friends
One of the big red flags that you’re experiencing or else are on the edge of experiencing an episode is your ability – inability – to maintain your interpersonal relationships. Turbulent and failed connections are often the result of untreated/undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Arguments, can, in many instances, be due to the irritability that occurs during a manic or depressive episode. It could even cause stress, which then goes on to become a contributing factor to your mood, which in turn causes the breakdown of a relationship.

3. Stress Resulting from Strained Relationships or Breakups
It’s important to note, stress itself is just as much a standalone trigger and comes in many different contexts, which are worth mentioning in their own right. The stress caused by a failed relationship can often feed into the idea of unworthiness – causing depression – and flights of over sexualised/promiscuous behaviour that stems from a need to alleviate the stress which has been caused by the breakdown. This reactive-based temperament is one that can be avoided by becoming aware of triggers and taking preventative steps which involve clear and transparent communication with those in your inner circle if you’re feeling on edge. You can raise the objection first and in a fashion apologise in advance for any behaviour which is uncharacteristic. This way, you take control of the narrative and avoid being on the back foot having to claw back your relationships.

4. Side Effect from Antidepressants, Corticosteroids or Other Pharmaceuticals
Despite the fact that antidepressants can be an excellent aid in giving people back their quality of life, in some instances, they’ve actually been known to cause manic episodes. Many psychiatrists have gone on record to say they’ve seen patients enter into a manic phase after starting anti-depressants – to the extent that some psychiatrists err on the side of caution with regards to prescribing meditation.

5. Changing of The Seasons and Abnormal ‘Clock Genes’
Around 20% of those with bipolar disorder experience significant changes in their mood when the weather changes. And that means for some people, their condition is dependent on the passing of the seasons. It’s been observed that many of those who suffer from bipolar tend to experience a higher frequency of manic/mania episodes during the spring and summer months, while autumn and winter account for increased occurrences of depression. But then, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, as the complete opposite can be true for other people. It’s also worth noting that the seasonal shift can also have an effect on your sleep patterns, which can also be contributing factor to the onset of episodes.

6. Going Through Pregnancy and Childbirth
Although it’s been well documented in scientific journals, the link between childbirth and bipolar isn’t something that would immediately come to mind if you weren’t seeking out information on the condition. Numerous studies have found that the risk for mood disorder episodes significantly increased during the postpartum phase of pregnancy in women with bipolar. One study found that nearly 50% of women with bipolar disorder experience at least one mood disorder episode during pregnancy, or within 12 months of childbirth. It’s also worth adding here that both men and women with bipolar may be triggered by the event of childbirth itself. It’s been observed that new fathers have an increased risk of hypomanic episodes after their child is born.

7. Drug and Alcohol Use
Drugs and alcohol aren’t the cause of bipolar, but they can absolutely contribute to the onset of an episode. If abused, they can cause an episode to suddenly occur and even make a pre-existing episode worse. This is a significant concern, and one that is worth noting as around one-fifth of people who suffer from bipolar disorder also struggle with substance abuse issues. Regularly taking drugs such as stimulants and cocaine can cause or worsen the effects of a manic episode. Conversely, the after-effects – or comedown – associated with taking these substances can also contribute to the onset of depressive episode.

There are a wide range of treatments available for bipolar disorder.

For battling the symptoms and challenges of bipolar over the long-term, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is essential. CBT helps suffers of bipolar disorder to manage their problems better by changing the way they think and behave. CBT does not cure bipolar, instead it helps you deal with it in an altogether more positive manner. It works on the premise that actions, feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are all connected and result in that feeling of helplessness. Unlike many other therapies CBT deals with current problems as opposed to focussing on issues from the past. It looks at you as an individual and seeks out practical and achievable ways in which you can improve your own state of mind not only on a daily basis but in the long term.

Group CBT specifically, may foster an improved understanding of bipolar disorder, which increases people’s working knowledge of their thinking patterns and behaviour in relation to how they experienced episodes of relapse. What this ultimately points to is a better quality of life for those suffering from the condition. If facilitated properly by a skilled therapist, a group dynamic can help sufferers learn the coping skills to manage their condition by creating a sense of shared responsibility with one another. Group settings are useful in allowing people to see a reflection of themselves through the act of empathising with others situation and so can better understand with their own challenges.

Medication is a route few people volunteer for as their first choice to treat their bipolar. It can be expensive, restricting and seem like a life sentence as opposed to a practical solution to managing symptoms. However, sometimes, medication is the best and only course action that will allow you to lead a functional life.

Before deciding on a course of treatment though, it’s important to give consideration to a few things that will make some of the possible challenges more manageable as they arise, as there is a high incidence of issues taking medication amongst individuals diagnosed with bipolar. If you’re considering what treatments are available to you, here are some important things to remember before committing yourself:

1. If The Medication is Working It Doesn’t Mean You Can Stop Taking Them.
This is a common occurrence. If it’s felt that all your symptoms are under control, there is a school of thought that the treatment has done its job and the medication can be stopped. Unfortunately, psychiatric medications do not work in the same way antibiotics do, which are only taken for a short-term period to achieve lasting results. Some individuals have been known to come to this conclusion by the empowerment their manic episodes bring, feeling they’re over the worst, and can move on with their life.

2. Experiencing Side Effects Doesn’t Mean Medication is the Wrong Choice
By now, side effects are an expected trade-off when using medications. And with that said, it’s important to note that while they can be highly effective in the management of bipolar, not all prescriptions will be suitable for each individual. Unfortunately, there is no sure way of knowing how a person might react to one over another, due to a multitude of factors. There can be a degree of trial and error involved in the initial stages, but this can be minimised by seeking help from a professional psychiatrist, one who deals specifically with bipolar. Their specialised knowledge and experience will enable them offer a treatment plan with far greater confidence than most general practitioners. Be aware though, when your medication isn’t working properly, and the experience has turned to one of managing side effects instead of symptoms, it can often be a simple of case of the changing the treatment or even the dosage. The use of micro-dosing to work your way up to the optimal therapeutic level is an effective way of doing this (although you should consult with your doctor or psychiatrist before doing so).

3. Fearing You Are Dependent (or Addicted) to Your Medication
As much as taking medications have the power to restore a sense of control in someone’s life, it is paradoxical in that it involves giving some of that control away. Over time, the routine of acquiring and taking medication can become monotonous and a constant reminder of your condition, leading to perceived feelings of hopelessness and even addict-like dependency. This is entirely understandable, and a very legitimate concern. However, it is also a view that can often be taken out of context – prone to exaggeration. Taking medication does not make you weak or any less of a person than your peers. As cliché as it sounds, it is only the strong who are willing to accept help at the expense of ridicule. With some mental illnesses, there are much better alternatives than medicating, but due to the challenging nature of bipolar symptoms, it’s often the best course of action that can be taken, despite whatever complimentary solutions are available.

Our experts are on hand to offer you the support, helping you to change the way you approach problems and deal with negative thoughts. Adapting to your personal situation, we’re able to help you improve the common negative feelings often associated with bipolar, such as helplessness and anger. Our personalised approach allows you to address current issues and focus on your long-term recovery too.

We recognise that each patient affected by bipolar has different experiences and goals, creating tailored treatment accordingly to achieve the best results for each person. We’re able to help you improve the common negative feelings often associated with bipolar, such as helplessness and anger, allowing you to address current issues and focus on your long-term recovery.

If you would like to talk to someone about bipolar disorder treatment and help in Ireland, please get in touch with the Private Therapy Clinic on Whatsapp message at: 7511116565 email, chat bot or book online to arrange an appointment.