Navigating Through Bipolar Mood Disorder: Management and Treatment Options

Bipolar Mood Disorder is a mental health disorder characterised by intense fluctuations in mood. These fluctuating moods are often described as manic episodes, hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Long-term management can be beneficial for coping with these mood changes.

In this blog, we aim to empower our readers by answering a few commonly asked questions such as ‘What is bipolar mood disorder?’, ‘What are the causes of bipolar mood disorder?’ and ‘What are the management options for bipolar mood disorder?’

Bipolar disorder is the clinical term and it is characterised as a mood disorder therefore for ease of understanding, it is referred to as bipolar mood disorder. It is important to note that the purpose of this blog is only to create awareness and support those experiencing any kind of mental health challenges should seek support from properly qualified professionals. This blog should not be used for self-diagnosis or as an alternative to treatment offered by a mental health practitioner.

What is Bipolar Mood Disorder? An Overview

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that can be usually characterised into 3 categories based on the symptoms experienced by the individual:

Bipolar I

Here the individual would have a history of at least one maniac episode, that is, an experience of euphoria, uncontrollable happiness, increased sexual energy, decreased need for sleep etc.

Bipolar II

Bipolar II disorder can involve hypomania episodes and depressive episodes wherein the person might experience mental health challenges due to mood fluctuations.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymia might be diagnosed if an individual if the individual has experienced a hypomanic state and depressive state in the last two years or more however the symptoms for Bipolar I and Bipolar II are not being met.

It is important to understand that the diagnosis is done by expert psychiatrists for bipolar disorder who often work in collaboration with clinical psychologists and counselling psychologists. One may also have other co-occurring mental health disorders along with bipolar disorder such as anxiety disorders, personality disorders and psychotic disorders. The proper diagnosis can be done with the help of detailed history taking, psychological assessments and behavioural observations.

Causes of Bipolar Mood Disorder

According to research, there can be diverse factors contributing towards the causes of bipolar disorder. A few of these factors may include:

• Childhood trauma for example experiencing neglect, sexual or physical abuse or losing a primary caregiver at an early age.
• Adverse life events such as extreme financial worries or an important relationship breaking apart.
• Genetic factors, for instance, mental health practitioners may also inquire regarding the family history of bipolar disorder.
• Brain structure and functioning, for instance, changes in the parts of the brain or production of certain specific neurotransmitters.

Please be mindful that the causes of bipolar disorder may differ from person to person and the above list is only an example to better understand these different factors.

Management and Treatment of Bipolar Mood Disorder

Collaborative care that involves psychiatrists, psychologists and the individual along with the caregivers as well at times can be useful for the management of bipolar disorder symptoms. Here are a few of the many ways through which one can find support as they move ahead in the wellness journey:

Pharmacological Treatment

Mood stabilisers and antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to reduce the intensity of current episodes, gradually decreasing the frequency of episodes and increasing overall wellness.

Psychotherapy

This can involve individual therapy sessions with qualified psychologists who may use different modalities such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy to support the individual. The benefits of therapy sessions shall include:

• Finding a safe and supportive environment to express oneself
• Becoming more aware as one gets to discuss the triggers and the management options with the therapist
• Gaining insights about the core issues, working on them step-by-step and charting the progress with the help of the therapist
• Developing of safety plan (if necessary) and psycho-educating the individual regarding the treatment journey
• Exploring the strengths of the individual and making one more aware of the same.

Family Therapy Sessions

Families can often play an important role in the well-being of an individual. The relationships, communication patterns and family dynamics can be better understood through family therapy sessions. The family’s sensitivity towards mental health disorders can be increased and if they are experiencing caregiver stress then that can also be worked upon.

Group Therapy Sessions

A trained professional acts as a facilitator for these group therapy sessions which give people a chance to interact and learn more about other’s mental health journeys. This can foster community building and act as a way to learn from real-life experiences.

Crisis Support

Intense mood wings might make one feel uneasy, and increase the risk of self-harm or harm to others therefore crisis support becomes extremely crucial. Hospitalisation, in-patient facilities and crisis helplines may be used during this time to help the individual feel safe and supported.

Take a Step Towards Bipolar Mood Disorder Treatment

Start your mental health recovery journey with state-of-the-art facilities offered by Athena Behavioral Health. We offer both in-patient and outpatient treatment facilities for the bipolar disorder treatment. Our skilled team of psychiatrists and psychologists use evidence-based practices for the treatment of bipolar disorder. We believe in developing tailored treatment plans suitable for each individual’s particular needs and goals.

Don’t wait and take control of your mental health today by seeking a consultation with the expert professionals of Athena Behavioral Health. You can reach out to us via call at +91 9289086193 or mail us your inquiries at customercare@athenabhs.com and we respond to your concerns shortly!