You may be more familiar with its former name, manic depression, as this describes the two main extremes of experience of the sufferer. Being at the mercy of uncontrollable and dramatic mood swings can have a serious impact on your life. The unpredictability of the disorder and the many ways it manifests make it quite difficult to pin down and seek treatment for. Often it is the family or close friends of a sufferer who notices the signs as the sufferer may not have insight into their problem, particularly in the manic phase. Professional bipolar disorder treatment will assess your individual case and find appropriate ways to help you manage your life, bringing balance.
Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings and emotional highs and lows. The highs are known as mania or hypomania and the lows manifest as depression. Feeling sad or hopeless, losing interest or not experiencing pleasure in activities are signs of depression. The change in mood to mania or hypomania (slightly less severe) manifests as feeling euphoric, overly energetic, or showing signs of unusual irritability or agitation. There may be symptoms of psychosis and delusions. The mood swings can affect energy levels, ability to sleep, your behavior and judgment may be distorted, and you will probably have difficulty thinking clearly.
The disorder is characterized by episodes of extreme mood one way or the other which can vary in frequency and length. They may occur rarely or several times a year and unless professional help is sought so that the disorder can be managed, the unpredictability and severity of the episodes can lead to a variety of problems.
People with bipolar disorder should be very careful with regard to drug and alcohol use, as these may trigger episodes of either depression or mania. The lack of insight into your condition may mean that you are not entirely in control of your behavior and this can lead to legal or financial problems. In a manic phase, you may spend money without inhibition or take risks which put you on the wrong side of the law. Relationships can suffer as your illness takes its toll on those around you. It can also affect your performance at work or school as you are at the mercy of strong emotions which will affect your ability to function. Sufferers of bipolar disorder are also at risk of suicidal thoughts as a consequence of the muddled thinking induced by the intensity of the mood shifts. You are more likely to have the condition if you have a blood relative with bipolar disorder or depression.
There is good news! With the help of professional treatment for bipolar disorder, this condition can be managed. At Casa Recovery in San Juan Capistrano, CA we can offer you a program of treatment which will first assess your case and then provide a recovery program for your bipolar disorder. We are professional counselors, therapists, healers, and psychologists whose aim is to find the right way for you to manage your condition and to lead a fulfilling life. Treatment and understanding of bipolar disorder has come a very long way and you can be assured that you will be in a much better place if you seek treatment rather than struggle on alone. Contact us today for more information. Take back control!