Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by soaring highs and devastating lows. Severe mood swings may come on for seemingly no reason and can be sporadic or ongoing. People dealing with the condition can experience significantly reduced quality of life.
If you or a loved one is dealing with bipolar disorder, it’s important to learn as much about it as possible. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to manage the condition and discover treatment options. This article will provide you with the information you require concerning the various types of bipolar disorder.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves extreme mood swings. People with the disorder will experience emotional highs known as mania or hypomania and depressive lows. Mood swings can occur occasionally or multiple times a year. You may experience symptoms between episodes or not.
What are the Signs of Bipolar Disorder?
The symptoms of bipolar disorder will vary depending on whether the patient is experiencing mania, hypomania, or depression. Mania and hypomania have similar symptoms, but mania is the more severe of the two. Both are characterized by:
- Extreme restlessness
- Exaggerated sense of self-confidence that can lead to poor decision making and dangerous behavior
- Decreased need for sleep
- Abnormal amounts of energy
- Racing thoughts
- Excessive talkativeness
- Racing thoughts
Depression symptoms include:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness
- Lack of interest in the things you once enjoyed
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Changes in sleep habits
- Restlessness or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts
Are There Different Types of Bipolar Disorder?
There are four main forms of bipolar disorder, including the following:
- Bipolar I Disorder: Bipolar I is characterized by at least one manic episode preceded or followed by a depressive episode. The mania may trigger a psychotic break from reality.
- Bipolar II Disorder: People with bipolar II will experience hypomania and major depression but never mania.
- Cyclothymic Disorder: Individuals will be diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder if they have periods of hypomania and depression for at least two years (one year in children and teenagers).
- Other Types: Other types of bipolar disorder may be brought on by drugs, alcohol, or medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, a stroke, or Cushing’s disease.
No type of bipolar disorder is milder or more severe than another. Symptoms and the severity of symptoms vary from person to person. Some types may come with stronger feelings of depression and mania, but others may have longer-lasting symptoms.
Is Bipolar Disorder Linked to Addiction?
Many people with mental conditions like bipolar disorder do not reach out for the help they need. They may not think their problem is that bad, they may not have the time or money to deal with it, or they may be reluctant to reach out due to social stigmas. Instead of consulting a mental health professional, they self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
While drugs and alcohol may temporarily relieve symptoms, they worsen them in the long run. If the person uses illicit substances long enough, an addiction will start to form. When this occurs, they will be dealing with a co-occurring disorder of both bipolar and addiction.
How to Find Bipolar Treatment Programs in Atlanta, GA
Bipolar disorder can’t be cured, but it can be managed. Several facilities offer treatment, including those that address addiction and bipolar simultaneously. Atlanta Recovery Place is highly recommended if you are looking for the best dual diagnosis treatment in Georgia.
At Atlanta Recovery, we take a dual diagnosis approach that treats addiction and its underlying cause. We provide outpatient treatment in Atlanta for addiction and dual diagnosis disorders. We work out a customized plan that is best suited to our patient’s needs. We follow up with a sober living program that ensures long-term sobriety.
We offer a variety of outpatient treatments. These allow patients to recover without having to spend a lot of time away from work, family, and friends. You can choose from our partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs.
Bipolar disorder is not easy to deal with, and it can be even more difficult if an addiction is involved. Contact Atlanta Recovery Place to find out how to get the care you require. We will assist you in achieving a higher quality of living.
