Treatment Centers for Bipolar Disorder in Arizona

Compassionate Treatment Centers for Bipolar Disorder in Arizona – Find Hope and Healing at Purpose Healing Center

Family Therapy Sessions

Research shows that family-focused therapy (FFT) for bipolar disorder can reduce symptom severity, among other positive outcomes, when used alongside medication. Family therapy sessions for bipolar disorder might focus on education, helping family members understand the nature of bipolar disorder. They can also help families communicate and problem-solve effectively.

Medication Management for Bipolar Disorder

We have psychiatrists who can prescribe medication for bipolar disorder. Medications used to treat bipolar disorder most often include:

• Atypical antipsychotic medications. For example, Abilify, Latuda, Seroquel, Saphris, and Geodon. These medications are newer than “typical” antipsychotic drugs. They’re used more often and tend to come with fewer side effects.
• Mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers like Lithium have been used to treat bipolar disorder for decades. Alternatively, prescribers may recommend anti-seizure medications like Lamictal and Tegretol for their stabilizing effects.
• Antidepressant. Antidepressant medications can be taken as an add-on to an antipsychotic or mood stabilizer drug. They boost nerve cell function while the mood stabilizer or antipsychotic prevents mania or hypomania.

Finding the right medication for bipolar disorder can take trial and error. Some people need to switch medications at times. For example, you cannot take certain medications if you get pregnant. These are all things you’ll want to discuss with your provider.

Making an Aftercare Plan

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that involves lifetime maintenance. As a result, aftercare planning is a critical part of treatment. Usually, aftercare plans for bipolar disorder clients involve things like continued outpatient therapy and medication.

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Co-Occurring Addiction and Bipolar Treatment

Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder sometimes co-occur with substance abuse. In fact, people with bipolar disorder are at an elevated risk of drug or alcohol addiction compared to the general population. There’s more than one reason for the prevalence of comorbid substance misuse and bipolar disorder. Most notably:

• Shared risk factors. For example, trauma puts you at a greater risk of bipolar disorder and substance abuse.
• Self-medication. Some people with bipolar disorder use substances to self-medicate symptoms.

When bipolar disorder and addiction co-occur, getting treatment for both matters. In addition to treating standalone mental health concerns, Purpose Healing Center offers integrated treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders at all care levels.

The Most Common Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of mania or hypomania and depressive episodes. Outside of episodes, you may experience periods of stabilization. Though they feel very different, depressive episodes and mania can both cause debilitating symptoms.

Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorder

Some people feel euphoric during a manic episode. Compared to depression, entering a manic episode can make you feel as though you’re doing great–at least, at first. Manic episodes can also come with bouts of rage or impulsive behavior, which can be scary and destabilizing. They aren’t always the same, and everyone experiences mania differently.

During a manic episode, you may notice:

• High-risk behaviors (e.g., unsafe sex, excessive spending, and reckless driving).
• A reduced need for sleep (you may feel rested after only a few hours of sleep).
• An increase in goal-directed behavior (may involve unrealistic goals).
• Being more easily distracted or derailed than usual.
• Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.
• Irritability or angry outbursts.
• Flight of ideas or racing thoughts.
• Increased talkativeness.
• Increased energy.
• Impulsivity.
• Paranoia.

Mania can cause psychosis, but not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience psychosis during mania. If a person does have mania with psychosis, they will experience symptoms like delusions or hallucinations.

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania that lasts for a shorter time period. A manic episode will endure for at least a week, but hypomania only needs to last for four days.

Depressive Episodes in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar depression tends to create a stark contrast to manic episodes. Symptoms you notice during a depressive episode may include but aren’t limited to:

• Reduced interest in activities you’d usually enjoy, like your hobbies.
• Sleeping too much (hypersomnia) or too little (insomnia).
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt.
• Emotional numbness or feelings of emptiness.
• Social isolation or withdrawal from others.
• A down, low, or depressed mood.
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
• Slowed psychomotor activity.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Excessive crying.
• Appetite changes.
• Fatigue.

Depressive episodes look different for everyone. Sometimes, people with bipolar disorder can be more likely to seek treatment during a depressive episode vs. a manic or hypomanic episode. This is part of why many people first receive a diagnosis of something like major depressive disorder.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There’s more than one type of bipolar disorder. Here are the types of bipolar disorders you will hear about most often:

• Bipolar I disorder. To have bipolar I disorder, a person must have experienced at least one full-blown manic episode.
• Bipolar II disorder. To have bipolar II disorder, you must experience alternating hypomanic and depressive episodes without a full-blown manic episode.
• Cyclothymic disorder (cyclothymia). Cyclothymic disorder involves mood swings and ups and downs less severe than those seen in bipolar I or II disorder, lasting for at least two years.

Currently, the two other possible bipolar disorder diagnoses include other specified bipolar and related disorders and bipolar and related disorders, unspecified.