Bipolar Disorder

Boca Raton Therapy and Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

If you or anyone you know must live with Bipolar Disorder you are already aware of how, if not properly treated, this disease can disrupt not just the afflicted person’s life, but everyone around them.

Bipolar disorder is a brain chemical imbalance that affects a person’s moods and perception in its most severe manifestations.

Bipolar disorder, once known as manic-depression, consists of multiple states of mood and perception. Simply put, it is characterized by swings to and from opposite states of mind. The person with Bipolar disorder goes from, or “cycles”, to being depressed, inactive and disinterested in normally fulfilling activities, to active, highly energized, often near delusional, hyper, or “manic” attitude and behavior. Thus, the name Bipolar. The mind operates in to opposing states of temperament, going, from high to low.

There are four are different types of Bipolar disorder:

• Bipolar I Disorder— Mostly dominated by the “Manic” part of the cycle, that usually lasts up to 7 days. It can be so severe it may require intervention and hospitalization. The depressive part of the cycle normally lasts 2 weeks or more. Sometimes both states can be evident at the same time.

 

• Bipolar II Disorder— With this type the afflicted person alters between depressive and hypomanic episodes too. But the manic state is not as severe as Bipolar I.

 

• Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)—In this type there are many instances of hypomanic and depressive states of mind over a very long period. These usually last for two years, or more. (One year with children and adolescents.) Unlike the previous two types the periods of either hypomania or depression are not severe enough to merit a diagnosis of true hypomanic or depressive episodes.

 

• Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders—Anything with hyper and depressive periods that do not match the patterns of the other three types which can include rapid cycling and ultra rapid cycling.

Symptoms 

People who suffer Bipolar disorder, as noted, have altering moods that consists of highs and lows. These can manifest themselves at times in assertive, or even aggressive behavior, accompanied by extremely high energy and often sleeplessness. Some people find themselves up late into the night. They may go on buying sprees, in some cases, maxing their credit cards and emptying out their bank accounts. Many engage in risky behavior that can be physically dangerous.

People who are in the manic stage have committed crimes, including stealing from family members and friends, or even strangers. Dangerous sexual behavior can be a disturbing side effect. Sometimes the danger can be as simple as getting lost and not being able to find their way home.

When in the depressive phase, they may become lethargic, not showing up to work or ignoring other responsibilities. Bills go unpaid. Necessities, unfulfilled. They may even contemplate suicide.

Families have been torn apart. There are instances when the person with Bipolar disorder engages in behavior that lands them in jail, or worse. Jobs are lost, and the afflicted can even end up homeless. Children get neglected. Even the family pet can be left for days without food.

For the unfortunate individual who suffers this debilitating disease the immediate support of family and friends is vital, but can be very difficult on them. It is not atypical for family members to be hurt, either emotionally, or even physically at the hands of the afflicted loved one they are trying to help. At our Boca Raton Center, we help the entire family heal together in a safe environment through tried and trusted techniques we’ve developed.

And of course, there is the stigma associated with mental disease. This is all why getting professional help if so important. Caring for a member of your family or a friend can be hard on the family and does the afflicted person little good if the support people are not able to treat them appropriately.

There is Treatment Available

Typically, treatment involves medications… but some holistic approaches can be very beneficial. At Fourmula we address the patient’s needs with concurrent therapy that treats the whole person and can involve family and friends bringing to bear every possible tool to help the patient to recovery and a more normal life.