Bipolar Disorder

Riding waves of global highs and devastating lows is not just being “moody.” It’s something deeper. Something real. That is bipolar disorder, an insidious mental illness that impacts millions quietly.

If you have ever felt like the person on an emotional roller coaster, bursting with energy on a particular day and drained on another, then you are not alone. And you’re not overreacting.

Bipolar disorder is more than just the normal highs and lows. It can turn simple living into something unpredictable, chaotic, and draining.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy, and behavior, with several types. 

These aren’t the sort of moods that come on and blow away within a day or two; a depressive episode can endure for days or weeks, and your relationships, your choices, your sleeping, and your very sense of self can be impacted.

People with bipolar disorder cycle between two main states:

• Mania or Hypomania; feeling overly energetic, excited, or irritable
• Depression; feeling deeply sad, empty, or hopeless

If you feel confused, exhausted, and scared at times, it is glorious because that is what these shifts do. However, here is the thing: bipolar disorder is manageable, and you are not required to go through this journey alone.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder comes in different forms. Each type has distinct patterns of mood changes.

Bipolar I Disorder

Severe manic episodes that a new person might need to see a hospital. Subsequently, depressive episodes usually accompany it, but with all appropriateness, they are absent.

Bipolar II Disorder

This includes mild mania, hypomanic episodes, and major depressive episodes. And the mood swings can be just as disruptive as well.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood swings that fall short of full-blown mania or depression. They can still affect your quality of life.

Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders

But sometimes, symptoms fall outside of a category and yet require treatment. Our therapists will assess the situation carefully and design the required plan.

Symptoms and Diagnosis 

Bipolar disorder symptoms vary between manic and depressive phases.

Manic Episode Symptoms Include:

• Elevated or irritable mood
• Increased energy and activity
• Racing thoughts and rapid speech
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Reduced need for sleep

Depressive Episode Symptoms Include:

• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Fatigue and low energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of hopelessness or guilt

Diagnosis requires a complete assessment by a qualified mental health professional. It involves using things like clinical interviews and mood questionnaires in order to identify the disorder. For effective treatment, however, accurate and early diagnosis is imperative.

Causes and Risk Factors

There are many causes of bipolar disorder. Rather, it involves a number of different things.

• Genetics: Family history increases your risk.
• Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters affect mood regulation.
• Environmental Stress: Trauma, abuse, or major life changes can trigger episodes.
• Substance Use: Alcohol and drugs can exacerbate symptoms or simulate mood swings.

Understanding these aids in directing both treatment and prevention efforts.

Treatment Options

Living with bipolar disorder involves many challenges. Managing it well often means combining therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Psychotherapy Approaches

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Restructures negative thinking and behavioral patterns.
• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): Targeting stabilization of social rhythms and interpersonal relationships in order to minimize mood fluctuations.

Medication Management

• Mood Stabilizers: Such as lithium or valproate to balance mood shifts.
• Antipsychotics: Used during manic episodes or for mood stabilization.
• Antidepressants: Sometimes prescribed cautiously during depressive phases.

Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care Strategies

• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
• Managing stress through mindfulness or relaxation techniques
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol
• Building a strong support network

Common Challenges People Face with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is more than mood swings. Its impact spans almost all areas of life. Some of them are silent sufferings, which may be beyond emotional highs and lows.

Here are some common challenges:

• Strained relationships. Being conscious of mood transitions prevents misunderstandings, conflict, and the emotional gap.
• Work instability. When energy, focus, or motivation flatlines, it is really impossible to stay in a job.
• Feeling isolated. A lot of guys pull back since they wish to prevent danger or feel misunderstood.
• Stigma. Carrying the stigma of “bipolar” comes with shame or fear that someone will see them differently.
• Medication side effects. You end up feeling nauseous, losing weight, or foggy in your thinking, and that deterrent prevents you from being consistent with it.
• Co-occurring issues. Throw in anxiety, depression, or substance use, and you have a perfect recipe for homelessness.

You’re not alone in this. It is a genuine struggle and a realistic one. However, you can navigate through them with the right support. And we are HERE to help you do just that.

How Therapy at Clamon Counseling Services Works

Managing bipolar disorder can feel like a rollercoaster, but you don’t have to ride it alone. At Clamon Counseling Services, we start by building trust. Your therapist listens with care, not judgment.

Together, you’ll:

• Identify triggers for mood swings.
• Develop personalized coping techniques.
• Practice emotional regulation and mindfulness.
• Improve communication skills
• Create a relapse prevention plan.

Therapy moves at your pace. We adjust to your needs and offer online sessions that fit your schedule.

You deserve support that works. Let’s take that step together.

Take Back Control: Book Your Online Session Today

You do not need to continue fighting the experiences of the highs and lows of bipolar. With the proper support, you will get back on track, have a stronger foundation, and rejoin us in the land of the living.

Clamon Counseling Services provides personalized, non-judgmental therapy to meet your needs. 

Whether you’re struggling with volatile mood changes, some sort of relationship issue, or you’re simply feeling lost in the weeds of your life, we provide guidance to help you find peace in the tumult.

They are convenient, so beginning, maintaining, and making real progress is a breeze with online sessions!

Want to start to feel like your old self? Book your appointment today. Now, let’s take that first step together.