Living with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can be very disruptive when it is not properly diagnosed or treated. For people living with bipolar disorder, it may seem like things will never be normal or good again. However, when bipolar disorder is being appropriately managed, it is possible to live a good, healthy, and active life. Treating bipolar disorder can be a bit complicated at times, especially since it can often occur alongside other issues such as anxiety or substance abuse. This is why seeking help from a bipolar disorder treatment program can be a great starting point on the road to recovery and healing.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder actually refers to a group of disorders that affect a person’s mood and ability to navigate their daily life. These disorders used to be called ‘manic depression’ because they feature periods of depression as well as periods of mania. People with different types of bipolar disorder may experience these periods in various ways.

Some of the types of bipolar disorder are:

• Bipolar Type I – This kind of bipolar disorder has periods of depression but is most defined by its periods of mania that last at least seven days. These manias can also sometimes feature psychotic episodes or periods of time when the person is experiencing a disrupted ability to engage with reality.
• Bipolar Type II – This type of bipolar disorder includes periods of depression as well as periods of hypomania, which are manic episodes that are not as intense as those seen in Bipolar Type I.
• Cyclothymia – This type of bipolar disorder features less intense and long-lasting periods of mania and depression but is still considered a type of bipolar disorder. It is mainly defined by abnormally cycling moods.

What Kind of Treatments Are Effective for Bipolar Disorder?

Much like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder can usually be effectively managed through a combination of medication and therapy. However, as previously mentioned, it can be complicated at first to find the right treatments for each specific person, especially if there are other factors such as anxiety or substance abuse present.

People who are living with bipolar disorder may have trouble sticking to their medication regimens because, when those medicines are working correctly, the person feels much better. This can lead to a situation where they start to think that maybe they don’t really need to continue taking the medication. For this reason, maintaining a good support system can be crucial to a person with bipolar disorder’s quality of life.

There also may be times when a person with bipolar disorder may need more intensive treatment in order to adjust medications or deal with other co-occurring disorders. Also, if a person is very manic or experiencing psychosis, they may need to be treated in a hospital setting to help keep them safe while they are recovering. These episodes can be frightening, but with the correct medicines and treatment, people usually make a full recovery more quickly than one might think.

Greater Boston Recovery Centers Offer Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

At our treatment center, we understand that our clients may be dealing with a combination of mental health disorders and substance abuse. Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff have the experience needed to ensure that our clients receive the treatment they need to help them recover and live the life they deserve. Clients and clinicians work together to develop individualized treatment plans that will address each person’s specific needs and goals. If you or someone you care about has been struggling with bipolar disorder and substance abuse, reach out to our caring and compassionate staff today at 877.920.6583.