webadminThere are several misconceptions regarding people with bipolar disorder. They are often considered as unstable, untrustworthy, unpredictable, and with an inability to take care of themselves. They are assumed to have mood swings while lacking emotional balance. People consider them dangerous with a potential risk of self-harm. However, in reality these are only myths. Though people with bipolar disorder people think differently, with effective treatment they can manage their lives pretty well.
Adequate information about the symptoms of bipolar disorder, nature of the illness and treatment options is crucial to help them deal with it.
In order to understand how a person with bipolar disorder thinks, we need to know about the disorder first.
Bipolar is an acute psychological disorder that creates mood instability. The person experiences manic episodes, followed by hypomanic episodes (that can remain for several weeks), and depressive episodes.
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, approximately 5.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
There are different types of bipolar disorder, including:
- Bipolar I
- Bipolar II
- Substance-induced or medically induced bipolar
- Cyclothymic disorder (or cyclothymia)
Each type of bipolar disorder exhibits varied symptoms, therefore thought process of individuals diagnosed with different types of bipolar disorder can be different.
There is a general belief that people struggling with bipolar-disorder simply can’t remember things they say, their actions are not under their control, they have impaired ability to think and they are engrossed with overwhelming emotions. These beliefs are merely a myth. People with bipolar disorder don’t always undergo manic or depressive episodes, they are able to think normally when they are not under the spell of these episodes. They are fully capable of leading a healthy, happy and successful life. It is only their condition that adds to the challenges.
Research suggests that many people experience unusually high spirit followed by depression and are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While there might be people who were not aware of their symptoms until accidently they landed up in a hospital and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which comes up as a rude shock to them.
What are the common thought patterns involved in bipolar disorder?
Cyclical thoughts include inconsistency in mood. The frequency of mood change is not defined in a time frame. The manic episodes include feeling euphoric, positive and rational or racing thoughts, productive at workplace, maintain relationships with ease, feeling grandiose and full of self-confidence. But these feelings might last for a few minutes, hours, days or a month.
After manic episodes, symptoms of depressive episodes begin to occupy the mind. These include feeling of sadness, loss of self-worth, hopelessness, feeling helpless, isolation, and in extreme cases harboring suicidal thoughts. Depressive episodes make you feel cloudy and unfocused. During such depressive episodes an individual might feel overwhelmed and overworked. Depression in bipolar disorder II makes people feel like losing control over their lives, and suicidal thoughts may preoccupy the minds with an inclination to give up on all goals in life.
People with bipolar disorder are at a greater risk of feeling suicidal or exhibiting thoughts of self-harm. Bipolar disorder can also co-occur with other illnesses such as anorexia, post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse disorder.
In case of severe bipolar symptoms, a person might experience delusional, psychosis and paranoia, which is not real.
What are treatments available for bipolar-disorder and how to seek help?
There are so many myths and stereotypes that exist about people with bipolar disorder. It is only with awareness regarding the disease that can help us to treat individuals who are grappling with bipolar-disorder.
We need to understand the severity of the condition and also realize there are appropriate intervention methods to treat bipolar disorder. The only thing required is empathy, love and care for your loved ones grappling with bipolar disorder and recognizing the symptoms at the earliest.
The treatment that works well for bipolar disorder includes medications such antidepressants, second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and anticonvulsants in combination with physiotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to bring alterations in thinking pattern, talk therapy, family therapy, group therapy and habit reversal therapy.Therapy can help you to practice more adaptive behaviors and learn coping skills to change negative thinking patterns.
Beside therapy, following a daily routine, practicing relaxation techniques and mindfulness, maintaining a journal and reaching out to support groups can help. If still you feel like you are battling with bipolar-disorder day in and day out, reach out to Mind Health Network without any hesitation.
We, at Mind Health Network, can connect you to residential treatment centers for bipolar disorder in California that can provide best bipolar residential treatment in California. To find out more about us call us now at our toll free number .
