What Is Bipolar Disorder?

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by changing moods, concentration, activity levels, and energy. It prevents people from doing what they normally do each day. It requires that they obtain treatment for bipolar disorder so that they can live their lives.

What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are changes in a person’s activity levels, changes in the person’s energy levels, and changes in the person’s moods. We call these symptoms “manic episodes.” During manic episodes, the person appears to be extremely high, but when these episodes end, the person experiences depressive episodes. Depressive episodes are characterized by feelings of hopelessness, indifference, or sadness.

Hypomanic episodes are manic episodes that aren’t as severe.

What Are the Different Types of Bipolar Disorders?

There are three different types of bipolar disorders, including the following:

Bipolar I Disorder: When a person receives a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, he experiences manic episodes that last at least seven days. It also manifests itself as extremely severe manic episodes. The only thing to do for this person is to admit him to the psychiatric hospital. The disorder also causes depressive episodes, and these typically last for about 14 days. Some people have manic symptoms and depressive symptoms at the same time.
Bipolar II Disorder: A person diagnosed with bipolar II disorder experiences depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, but the manic symptoms are not as troublesome as the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder. That is why manic symptoms in bipolar II disorder are known as “hypomanic” symptoms.
Cyclothymic Disorder: Medical professionals diagnose an adult with this disorder after he or she experiences hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms for two years. In contrast, they diagnose children and adolescents with the disorder after they experience these symptoms for at least one year.

How Does Someone Develop Bipolar Disorder?

Scientists don’t know what causes someone to develop bipolar disorder, but they believe that there are several different causes. For example, the way that the patient’s brain is structured may cause bipolar disorder.

Also, how the patient’s brain functions also may be the cause. The research studies show that there are significant differences between the brains of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder and those not diagnosed with the condition.

The cause could also be related to a patient’s genes. The research studies found that certain genes are responsible for the development of the disorder. The studies also show that children or siblings of patients with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop it than people without a family history.

What Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Is There?

Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Florida includes the following:

Inpatient Treatment

People have the opportunity to live at the treatment center with inpatient treatment. Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have a substance use disorder. An inpatient treatment center can treat co-occurring disorders, so it is the best place for your loved one.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows your loved one to participate in every therapy session while living at home. This form of treatment is best for those individuals that have responsibilities such as work or school they can not get away from.

Individual Psychotherapy

Your loved one learns about their disorder and how to make better decisions in the future.

Group Therapy

Your loved one enters into therapy with his peers and has the benefit of the support that other people experiencing the same challenges can give him.

Family Therapy

You and your other family members participate in family therapy sessions that teach everyone how to communicate more effectively.

If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment for bipolar disorder in Florida, click on this link to contact us, and we will be happy to give you more information.