What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. You also may be angry, irritable, unreasonable, clingy, and mean. You may have suicidal thoughts/impulses. When you become manic, you experience symptoms of racing thoughts, increased energy, and a, decreased need for sleep. You may have poor judgement, or may engage in activities that are risky with consequences such as overspending, unhealthy sexual encounters, reckless behaviors, and substance use.
Some major symptom patterns of Bipolar Disorder are:
- Depression
- Mania
- Hypomania
- Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations/delusions)
- Paranoid symptoms
- Intense anger and irritability
- Anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Problems with maintaining focus, attention, and concentration
- Suicidal thoughts and impulses
- Self -harm
- Hypochondria
Bipolar disorder is due primarily to a biological abnormality involving changes in brain chemistry. This illness is typically lifelong, and it does not simply disappear. Without appropriate treatment it can become progressively more severe.
There are two major types of bipolar disorder, which are Bipolar I and Bipolar II.
Bipolar I Disorder- People who have this disorder experience severe depression, and full- blown mania. These people switch directly from manic to depressive (or vice versa). Many people with Bipolar I disorder have a period of time where there are no obvious mood changes.
Bipolar II Disorder (most common type)- People who have this disorder have a very high frequency of major depressive episodes. People with Bipolar II do not experience full-blown mania, but instead experience episodes of hypomania.
Mania/Hypomania- What’s the difference?
A manic episode involves a distinct period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood with increased activity and energy and strong need to complete goals. This episode must last at least one week, and be present most of the day, nearly every day. Symptoms such as inflated self -esteem, decreased need for sleep, mood disturbance episode can be severe enough to cause marked impairment in social functioning, or at work, and can require hospitalization
A hypomanic episode involves a distinct period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood and abnormally or persistent increased activity or energy, lasting at least 4 consecutive days, present most of the day, or every day. Symptoms such as inflated self- esteem, decreased need for sleep, disturbance in mood/functioning are observed by others, and distractibility are present. Episodes of hypomania are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social/work situations, or to require hospitalization.
Taylor-made approach to treating Bipolar Disorder
It has been my observation and personal experience while working with individuals, groups, and families affected with Bipolar Disorder, over the past 20 + years, is that this disorder is not simply about mania and depression. Bipolar Disorder is complex, and although it is true that there are ups and downs with moods, and that bipolar involves, obvious, episodic changes in moods there are many more features of this disorder, and the severity and frequency of symptoms vary.
Because each individual experiences Bipolar in their own unique way, I take a Taylor-made (aka Jane Taylor) approach in treating this condition.
My initial concern in treating a person with Bipolar Disorder, is to rule out any medical conditions, substance use, or any other underlying/environmental contributing factors that may be causing the symptoms and behaviors consistent with the disorder.
I may refer you to your primary care physician for a full physical, should this be warranted via my observations. We will discuss your psychosocial history, so I can explore areas of your life and well-being (social, occupational, environmental, spiritual, etc), and how these factors relate to the history of your Bipolar Disorder.
We will discuss medications, and/or types of therapy that you may have already been exposed to. I do not prescribe, nor will I suggest any medications for you. Should you wish to have a medication evaluation, I will refer you to a Psychiatrist, or your Primary Care Physician so you can schedule an appointment. Together we will set up a treatment plan that is totally designed for you and your specific needs.
I utilize a variety of interventions and techniques suitable to the various needs and requests each individual I work with brings to the table including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psycho-Social Rehabilitation, Zoom Support Group, Art therapy- all forms, including drawing, painting, photography, poetry, sea glass jewelry making, singing, family education meetings, and more.
Some people may appreciate using books and workbook(s), and if this is your learning style, we will engage in this modality of treatment. Others prefer walk and talk, or video/phone therapy. I am not opposed to home visits. I will meet you where you are at and will assist you on your journey to become the very best of you.
There are so many things one should know about Bipolar disorder, and I encourage you to do some research. Although I have a specific mental health links page on this site, Mental Health America reigns as the most comprehensive resource available, in my opinion. I discovered MHA in Lancaster California 25 years ago, working as an intern with the Homeless Assistance Program. Today, I still have yet to find an organization that surpasses the excellence in mental health prevention, intervention, education, resources, programs, community, all with a genuine compassionate approach as does Mental Health America (formerly known as Mental Health Association).
Bipolar Thrive! Be Yourself. Strive For Better. Let's Do This Together! ~ JTF
