Bipolar Disorder Explained and Treatment Options in Florida

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy, and activity that are beyond normal mood fluctuations and can severely impair a person’s life.[1] It is a chronic condition, but it is also highly treatable with the right combination of psychiatric care, medication if necessary, and evidence-based therapy.

Approximately 2.8% of adults in the United States have bipolar disorder, and the condition can cause significant impairment in functioning.[2] Despite how common it is, it is frequently misdiagnosed and mistaken for depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, or a personality disorder. Many people live with undiagnosed bipolar disorder for years before getting help.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum, with many different presentations that differ by severity and duration of each mood episode. 

Some of the subtypes of bipolar disorder include the following:

• Bipolar I disorder is characterized by the presence of at least one manic episode, which can precede or immediately follow a major depressive episode. The manic episodes in bipolar I disorder are usually of such severity that they cause severe impairment and may require hospitalization.
• Bipolar II disorder is characterized by a depressive or hypomanic episode, but without the full manic episodes of bipolar I. This makes bipolar II more prone to be misdiagnosed as depression, since the depressive episodes are more prominent and the manic episodes less disruptive.
• Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder that is characterized by numerous periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms that last at least two years but do not meet the full criteria to be diagnosed as either hypomania or major depression. 
• Other specified and unspecified forms of bipolar disorder include presentations with chronic mood disturbances that do not clearly fit into any of the categories previously described.

Developing an effective and accurate treatment plan depends on which subtype of bipolar disorder is involved.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

Although the exact cause of bipolar disorder is not known, research suggests that there are multiple contributing factors, including:

• Genetics — There is a genetic basis for bipolar disorder. A person who has a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder has an increased risk of developing it themselves.[3]
• Neurobiological factors — Neurobiological differences have been consistently identified in people with bipolar disorder and include differences in brain structure, neurotransmitter levels, and hormonal regulation.[4]
• Environmental triggers — Stressors such as trauma, sleep disruption, or substance abuse can trigger or hasten the onset of a mood episode in genetically predisposed people.[5]
• Co-occurring diagnoses — Bipolar disorder often co-occurs with other conditions such as anxiety disorders, ADHD, substance abuse disorders, and other psychiatric illnesses, complicating the diagnosis and making integrated treatment necessary.[6]

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is defined by two differing mood states, manic or hypomanic and depressive, with each characterized differently.

Manic and hypomanic episodes may involve:

• Elevated, expansive, or irritable in mood
• Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
• Racing thoughts with rapid, pressured speech
• Inflation of self-worth, or grandiosity
• Increased goal-directed activity, or psychomotor agitation
• Impulsive, risk-taking, or compulsive behaviors
• In severe mania, psychosis, or complete loss of contact with reality

Depressive episodes may include:

• Persistent low mood, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
• Significant changes in appetite or weight
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or hypersomnia
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness and excessive guilt
• In severe cases, suicidal ideation or thoughts

The episodic pattern, duration, and severity vary considerably between people and between bipolar subtypes, so accurate diagnosis and individualization of the treatment plan are critical for successful treatment.

How Bipolar Disorder Affects Relationships

Bipolar disorder affects not only the person experiencing it but also their relationships with partners, family, friends, and colleagues, and can have a long-lasting effect. Behavior that feels normal and exciting during manic or hypomanic episodes is often viewed by family members as erratic, unpredictable, or harmful. And during depressive episodes, the disengagement and withdrawal from family members, friends, and support can threaten even the most supportive relationships.

Over time, the unpredictable nature of mood episodes can start to erode trust, have loved ones walking on eggshells, and leave family members feeling helpless or burned out. Relationships are an important part of the diagnosis and should be treated as part of the comprehensive treatment of bipolar disorder through family therapy and psycho-education.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, contact a professional for evaluation as soon as possible. Early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes for people experiencing bipolar disorder, as untreated bipolar disorder progresses over time.

A residential program is particularly appropriate under the following circumstances:

• When mood episodes are severe, frequent, or increasingly difficult to manage
• When outpatient treatment or medication management has not provided adequate stability in functioning
• When co-occurring substance abuse or mental health issues exist
• When mood episodes are significantly affecting daily life, relationships, and overall functioning
• When there are concerns about safety during manic or depressive episodes

Bipolar Disorder Treatment at Helios West Palm in Florida

Bipolar disorder treatment begins with a comprehensive psychiatric assessment that establishes an accurate and complete diagnosis, identifies co-occurring conditions, reviews previous treatment history, and provides the basis for the development of a fully individualized treatment plan. Our program provides the structure and clinical intensity that effective treatment for bipolar disorder requires, with 24/7 psychiatric monitoring, medical oversight, and a full daily schedule of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic services.

Benefits of Bipolar Disorder Treatment

With the right care and treatment, people with bipolar disorder can and do live more stable and fulfilling lives. Some of the benefits of comprehensive residential treatment are:

• Decreased frequency and intensity of manic and depressive episodes
• Increased stability and predictability in daily lives and ability to function
• Improved compliance with medication and management of side effects
• Stronger coping skills and the ability to identify and respond to early warning signs
• Better quality, more stable relationships with loved ones who are better educated about the condition and better equipped to provide support.
• Improved management of other co-occurring disorders, including substance use and anxiety disorders
• A clearer sense of self and identity that goes beyond bipolar disorder