We can help you stabilize.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a mental health condition that affects mood and behavior through extreme shifts between manic and depressive episodes, which can last for weeks or months at a time. An estimated 5.7 million American adults, about 2.6% of the population, have bipolar disorder, and while it’s most commonly diagnosed between ages 15 and 30, it can be diagnosed at any age. It can make it difficult to function at work, school, or in relationships, but treatment can help you manage symptoms and get back on track.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar I is defined by manic episodes lasting at least 7 days, or severe depressive episodes lasting at least 2 weeks.
- Bipolar II involves less intense manic (hypomanic) episodes lasting at least 4 days; people with bipolar II never experience a full manic episode.
- Cyclothymic disorder is the mildest form, involving hypomanic and depressive periods that are less severe than bipolar I or II, though it can still be disruptive.
Signs and Symptoms
Every form of bipolar disorder involves both manic and depressive episodes, though frequency and intensity vary.
Manic episodes may include:
- Being unusually upbeat or jumpy without clear cause
- Less need for sleep and racing thoughts
- Being easily distracted and unable to focus
- Exaggerated self-confidence
Depressive episodes may include:
- Feeling empty, sad, or hopeless
- Losing significant weight without dieting
- Insomnia or sleeping far more than usual
- Loss of energy and constant fatigue
- Trouble thinking or planning
Why Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Often Occur Together
It’s not uncommon to experience both bipolar disorder and addiction. Some people use drugs or alcohol to cope with mood symptoms, and because bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that’s managed rather than cured, relying on substances to manage it tends to create health complications and overdose risk, without providing lasting relief. Treating bipolar disorder and addiction at the same time is important: co-occurring conditions like this need to be addressed together to meaningfully reduce the risk of relapse. Mood-stabilizing medications, such as lithium, alongside talk therapy, are common parts of an integrated plan.
How GBAC Treats Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Care is available through:
Does Insurance Cover Bipolar Disorder Treatment?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We work with most major insurers and verify your benefits for free; checking doesn’t commit you to treatment.
Talk to Someone Who Can Help You Take the Next Step
Bipolar disorder is complex, but with manic and depressive episodes affecting your life, getting treatment now has real value. We’re in Needham, MA, at 322 Reservoir Street, serving Boston, Dedham, Waltham, Newton, Wellesley, and nearby communities. Call (877) 920-6583 for a free, confidential conversation, or verify your insurance online.
Frequently asked questions
What does treatment for bipolar disorder look like at GBAC?
A combination of mood-stabilizing medication management and talk therapy, integrated with addiction treatment, since both tend to affect each other when they're present together.
Do clients from Wellesley and Newton attend GBAC for bipolar disorder treatment?
Yes. We're based in Needham, MA, and see clients from across the area, including Wellesley, Newton, Dedham, and Waltham.
How do I know if I need professional treatment for bipolar disorder?
Extreme, uncontrollable shifts between mania and depression that interfere with work, school, or relationships are signs worth taking seriously, especially if you're also using substances to manage how you feel.
Can bipolar disorder treatment be combined with addiction recovery?
Yes, and it needs to be. Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, using drugs or alcohol to manage its symptoms tends to make both the mood symptoms and the substance use worse over time.
Does insurance cover bipolar disorder treatment in Massachusetts?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We verify your benefits for free before you commit to anything.