Find the Right Treatment Facilities for Bipolar Disorder

For people with bipolar disorder, extreme mood swings and debilitating low periods of depression can make daily life extremely difficult. This lifelong condition is most often diagnosed in a person’s teens or early 20s. While the diagnosis itself might answer some questions the patient and their loved ones had about their mood swings, it also raises more uncertainty — especially what they should do now. In times like this, it’s vital to find the right treatment facilities for bipolar disorder that can help people manage their symptoms and mood swings and help them cope with this chronic condition. In Florida, WhiteSands Treatment helps patients get their bipolar disorder under control when they turn to us for help with overcoming addiction. If you’re wondering how to choose the right residential treatment center for bipolar disorder and addiction, WhiteSands is a top choice. We offer evidence-based, compassionate care that can make all the difference.

What Is the First Red Flag of Bipolar Disorder?

Although there are several different types of bipolar disorder, there are two major mood swings that people living with this condition learn to look out for mania and depression. According to bpHope, an online resource focusing on the bipolar community, people and their loved ones can watch for “red flags” that might indicate that a manic or depressive mood swing is happening — and that can give them a chance to take action before the symptoms get worse.

Here are the warning signs of a manic period:

• Rapidly talking or changing topics during conversation.
• Difficulty focusing or being too intensely focused.
• More energy than usual and not needing sleep.
• Suddenly buying items, starting a new hobby or business, or other goal-directed behavior.

Next, let’s explore the warning signs of a depressive period:

• Not keeping up with usual tasks or chores.
• Struggling to shower regularly and maintain personal hygiene.
• Isolating and withdrawing from others.
• Not sleeping enough or sleeping much more than usual.

What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder treatment requires a comprehensive approach to offer the best results for patients. According to WebMD, three classes of medication are most often used in treatment: Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. However medication isn’t the only option to help patients at treatment facilities for bipolar disorder, and psychotherapy will also be essential to help people understand how their mood swings and emotional instability affect themselves and their loved ones. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps patients identify flawed or unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and replace them with more positive ways of looking at the world, helps treat this condition, as does family and group therapy. WebMD says therapy can also help encourage patients to stay on their medications.

WhiteSands Treatment offers medication-assisted therapy services at its treatment centers across Florida. Our team knows that bipolar disorder requires medicine and counseling, and we ensure that patients have access to both when they come to us for help with addiction and mental health struggles.

What Is the Last Resort Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?

In extreme cases of bipolar disorder, when people are severely manic or depressed, other treatment options might be considered — especially when standard treatment options and medications haven’t worked. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is occasionally used in these cases, and WebMD says it can be particularly beneficial in quickly addressing problems in severely depressed patients who are at risk of suicide. However, this isn’t a standard treatment method for most people with bipolar disorder. Other last-resort treatment options are also sometimes explored, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, which stimulates nerve cells in the brain to treat depression.

Where Can Someone with Bipolar Disorder Get Help?

People with bipolar disorder have options when it comes to where they can get help. Therapy is a cornerstone of treatment, and it makes sense to reach out to a mental health professional or treatment facility to start psychotherapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions. Medications are also a standard part of treatment, requiring working with a medical professional or doctor to get the prescription and regularly check in to determine if the medications are working correctly or need to be adjusted.

However, treatment facilities for bipolar disorder also often need to address a related problem: Addiction. A Cambridge University Press article analyzed surveys and studies, pointing out that people with bipolar I disorder (when people experience manic episodes) were 5.8 times as likely to have a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. A study in the United Kingdom looked at the substance abuse histories of 392 patients who were hospitalized for bipolar episodes, finding that almost 60% of the group had a history of substance abuse in their lifetimes. With addiction so common in people with this condition, bipolar disorder treatment is offered along with addiction treatment in top facilities like WhiteSands Treatment. Our dual diagnosis program recognizes that overcoming addiction also needs to factor in mental health struggles, and that’s why we help patients address substance use disorder and bipolar disorder at the same time.

WhiteSands Treatment: A Top Choice Among Treatment Facilities for Bipolar Disorder

Because of the frequent overlap between addiction and mental health disorders, the best treatment facilities for bipolar disorder should be able to help patients with both challenges simultaneously. WhiteSands Treatment is a recognized leader in this field, with a track record of success in working with people to put substance abuse and mental health struggles behind them. We offer evidence-based, compassionate treatment at our network of facilities across Florida, including an outpatient addiction treatment center in Brandon. When you turn to us for help, you’ll know that you’re going to get the best care and resources to put you on the road to recovery. Learn more about how we can help you or a loved one address addiction and bipolar disorder at the same time by calling us at 877-855-3470. We’re ready to help you.

External Sources

• bpHope — How to Spot Bipolar ‘Red Flags’
• WebMD — Understanding Bipolar Disorder Treatment
• Cambridge University Press — Bipolar Disorder and Addictions

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.