New Jersey Bipolar Disorder Treatment
It’s not easy living with bipolar disorder. The oscillating nature of bi-polar symptoms undermines any attempt at a normal, productive life. Formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, it’s characterized by extreme emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and great emotional lows (depression).
With treatment bipolar disorder is manageable and people diagnosed as bi-polar can lead full and fulfilling lives…if they manage their condition. Because unmanaged bipolar is often a life of chaos and regret from the destruction you’ve caused and the opportunities you’ve lost. Wellness Center NJ is committed to providing personalized mental health treatment to people who suffer from the ups and downs that come with the condition. Our team, composed of expert psychiatrists and skilled therapists, specializes in providing the kind of care that gets results.
Bipolar Symptoms
Diagnosing bipolar disorder is challenging because It’s a multifaceted condition. There are different types of bi-polar, each with a slightly different expression of symptoms in the life of the patient. For example, people with hypomania have more limited manic episodes, delusions are still experienced by bipolar patients with hypomania but they present without the psychotic features found in a full-blown manic episode.
Many people each year are misdiagnosed with having depression or anxiety when in fact
To make matters more complicated, other disorders like depression can appear very similar in nature to bi-polar. Substance abuse in specific mimics a whole variety of mental health illness and substance use would need to cease before an accurate diagnosis can be made. All too often, doctors miss the manic-depressive swings and end up misdiagnosing their patients with simple depression or anxiety. Our doctors are specially trained to recognize the often-subtle differences in mental health and mood disorders.
One of the common characteristics of bipolar disorder is mood swings which are as dramatic as they are unpredictable. Mood swings range from deep depression to full-blown mania. These mood swings are often severe enough to alert friends, family, and even patients themselves to recognize the presence of the disorder.
Symptoms of a Manic or Hypomanic Episode:
- Increased activity levels
- Racing thoughts
- Feelings of euphoria or grandeur
- Impulse control problems
- Fast, hurried, or assertive speech
- Decreased desire or need for sleep
- Alcohol or drug abuse
Symptoms of a Depressive or Major Depressive Episode:
- Sadness or anxiety
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Social isolation
- Decreased activity and enjoyment
- Increased desire or need for sleep
- Slower speech patterns
- Dulled reaction to stimuli
- A tendency to harm oneself
- Suicidal thoughts
If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, it’s essential that you seek assistance. It’s possible to control the rollercoaster that is a bipolar disorder but only with the help of a medical professional.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Experts often separate bipolar disorder into four separate categories, or diagnoses:
- Bipolar I Disorder – Bipolar I is characterized by one manic depressive cycle—one manic episode followed or preceded by one major depressive or hypomanic episode (a mild form of mania).
- Bipolar II Disorder – Bipolar II is marked by the presence of one hypomanic episode followed or preceded by a major depressive episode. The condition is unique in that mania does not occur.
- Cyclothymic Disorder – This type of bipolar disorder manifests as repeated episodes of hypomania and depression over the course of at least two years.
- Other Types of Bipolar Disorder – Manic depressive or hypomanic-depressive episodes sometimes result from pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., Cushing’s disease) or alcohol and drug abuse.
Manic Depressive Alcoholic
Alcohol abuse is often seen in Bipolar disorder. In an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of their mental health disorder, many patients turn to alcohol. People who have Bipolar and alcoholism will almost certainly need professional treatment.
When alcoholism co-occurs with Bipolar disorder there is a tendency for the destruction caused by either disorder to be magnified by the other. Most commonly the manic depressive alcoholic faces Hypomanic episodes. Unlike full-blown mania, the hypomanic alcoholic does not generally experience delusions or psychotic episodes as seen with full-blown mania.
Substance use of any kind, including alcohol, can lead to rapid cycling. Rapid cycling refers to rapid changes in mood, cycling back and forth from depression to mania. Rapid cycling means patients can switch between depression and mania several times in the same week. Patients may also present with mania and depression symptoms co-occurring simultaneously
Bipolar Treatment Centers
Life shouldn’t be a battle between endless highs and lows. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed. With the help of bipolar treatment centers, it’s possible to achieve balance.
Wellness Center NJ provides expert, individualized care to bipolar suffers. Our overall approach to mental illness treatment combines therapy with medication management. Most importantly, we take the time to compile a full case study of each patient so that we can tailor our treatment to their particular condition.
Call Wellness Center NJ at (201) 503-7118 to learn more about our specialists, resources, and treatment philosophy.