Rehabilitation and its Benefits in Treating Bipolar Disorder

Overview

A person with Bipolar Disorder experiences polarizing episodes of mania and depression. Individuals can experience drastically opposite symptoms ranging from increased energy, grandiose feelings, sleeplessness, and impulsive behavior during mania, to sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns in depression.

Some may experience a Mid-State with both manic and depressive symptoms simultaneously or a rapid cycle state where a person experiences these episodes consecutively. These extreme mood swings can hinder a person’s ability to function normally.

Bipolar Disorder’s ICD 10 definition says, “A disorder characterized by two or more episodes in which the patient's mood and activity levels are significantly disturbed, this disturbance consisting on some occasions of an elevation of mood and increased energy and activity (hypomania or mania) and others of a lowering of mood and decreased energy and activity (depression).”

Bipolar Disorder is a serious mental health disorder. Diagnosis in early stages followed by treatment can help tackle the symptoms and allow a patient to lead a balanced life. There are two types which include Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar ii disorder.

Yet about 60 percent of the patients are misdiagnosed in the early stages, as few symptoms are identical to other conditions. The experience and symptoms can be different for each individual and need a different approach for an effective treatment.

Hence, it is necessary to encourage patients to speak their minds for accurate diagnosis and discuss possible treatment options.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder Treatment

If you or someone you know is showing the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is important to seek help immediately. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can aggravate with time. Leaving it untreated can have devastating effects on the life of an individual. 

As the condition is characterized by recurrent manic and depressive episodes, it is extremely difficult to live a steady, stable, and productive life with bipolar disorder.

The manic episodes lead to a state of hyperactivity, where the individual might indulge in reckless and irresponsible behavior. But in the case of depressive phases, the individual may find it difficult to involve in any activity at all. With early diagnosis and treatment, such problems can be avoided.

For the effective treatment of mania and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, medication alone is not enough. The successful treatment method considers a combination of factors.

This includes getting informed about the illness, communicating with doctors and therapists on the course of treatment plans, having a support system, and making healthy lifestyle changes.

It is crucial to strictly follow the treatment plan, which may be reassessed by your doctor depending on how the patient’s condition is responding. 

The treatment plan may have its ups and downs like the disorder. However, with commitment and careful management, the symptoms can be controlled ensuring a fulfilling and healthier life.

Challenges Of Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options 

Is Bipolar Disorder curable? This is a very common question we are asked. The answer is complicated and there are challenges.

Considering that people experience an extreme change of moods in this condition, most of them ignore it thinking it is just mood swings. However, untreated bipolar disorder can be extremely dangerous for your mental health. But treating bipolar disorder is also quite stressful.

This is a serious mental disorder, which still does not get the awareness it deserves. So during the treatment, the patients and their loved ones may be extremely confused and stressed while keeping track of the shift between different phases of the disorder.

In the Manic stage, people experience high or elevated moods, making them feel extremely happy and self-confident. They tend to overestimate the quality of their work and ideas. On the other hand, during the depressive phase, people feel sad, sluggish. This stage makes the patients feel that they are worthless, often thinking of suicide.

There is another stage where people experience the symptoms of mania and depression simultaneously. It can cause physical aggression, hostility, irritability, etc.

To cope with the stress of these phases, patients often reach out for rehab for bipolar disorder. This is one of the most effective bipolar disorder treatment options in the long term.

Along with therapies and medication, bipolar disorder treatment research highlights the need for rehabilitation to extend holistic treatment. It is important because it has a holistic treatment approach where patients and families are both included.

Cadabam’s focuses on providing holistic treatment for bipolar disorder. Along with therapies and medication, experts also recommend bipolar rehabs. We offer customized plans for each patient to combat the disorder from every vertical. We know that along with patients, the caregiver also suffers a great deal of mental stress. This is why our holistic treatment plans include both patients and caregivers to get the best results.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options

When you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your doctor will brief you about the possible treatment options and may prescribe some medications or mood stabilizer drugs as well.

They may also refer you to another mental healthcare professional, such as a psychologist or bipolar disorder specialists.

They will work with you to develop a personalized bipolar disorder cure plan for your individual needs and condition. A comprehensive treatment plan for bipolar disorder will include the following:

Medications

Medications are essential to keep the symptoms under control. Sometimes, long-term bipolar disorder medication may be prescribed to reduce the frequency and severity of the highs and lows of bipolar disorder.

As people react differently to medications, your doctor will ask you to try several drugs or combinations of drugs before you find the one that works well to relieve your symptoms.

Psychotherapy

With therapy, people with bipolar disorder can learn to deal with difficult or uncomfortable feelings and problems affecting their work, self-esteem, and relationships.

For the treatment of bipolar disorder, the following therapies are especially helpful:

•   Cognitive-behavioral therapy
•   Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
•   Family-focused therapy 

Psychoeducation

Bipolar disorder can be a complex illness for people unfamiliar with the condition. By gaining a good knowledge of the condition, managing the symptoms and complications associated with it becomes a lot easier. There are multiple resources available. These include websites, books, several episodes, and movies about bipolar disorder. 

With a thorough understanding, you will be in a better position to help yourself and your loved ones to avoid problems and deal with setbacks. 

Making lifestyle changes

This involves setting up a routine for work, sleep, and exercise, eating a balanced and healthy diet, practicing stress-busting activities, maintaining a stable sunlight exposure, etc.

Making lifestyle changes can help you keep the symptoms and occurrence of bipolar episodes to a minimum and live a healthy life.

Support system

Living with bipolar disorder is challenging. Therefore, it is crucial to have a strong support system that can change your outlook and motivation.

You can reach out to your family and friends or join a bipolar disorder support group. This will allow you to connect with others who might be facing similar problems and learn from their experiences.

Importance of Rehabilitation in Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Apart from medications and therapies, rehabilitation also forms a part of the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It includes residential rehabilitation as well as follow-on care and counseling.

Residential rehab centers provide a live-in facility to an individual while receiving care. Many rehab centers conduct group therapy or family programs along with individual therapy. Rehabilitation centers offer several episodes advantages such as:

• Holistic Treatment: It facilitates wholesome treatment with professional assistance including medication, cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, biofeedback, etc. They offer varied programs revolving around healing anxiety, managing stress, learning codependency, enhance coping skills among other benefits. 
• Monitoring: The trained staff can help regulate daily medication, therapy sessions, sleep schedules, etc., to establish a normal routine. 
• Round-the-clock support: Rehab ensures 24/7 medical supervision while receiving treatment. Constant supervision allows close monitoring of a patient’s condition, symptoms, progress and suggests quick modifications in treatment if needed. 
• Prevention of Relapse: Continued therapy helps avoid any chance of a relapse as a result of discontinuing medicines. The coping strategies and skills learned at therapy can help the patient throughout life. 
• Build a support network: Rehabilitation centers also offer and create a solid support system for many individuals suffering from the same mental disorder and are seeking therapy.

They aim to provide stabilization programs to keep an individual motivated to continue the treatment with as little disruption as possible for a healthy life.

Helping A Loved One Get Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

The impacts of bipolar disorder are not limited to only those suffering from the illness. It will also affect the lives of those living with or around people with bipolar disorders.

If you have a family member or loved one who is fighting the depressive lows and manic highs of bipolar disorder, it can be tough to know if there’s anything you can do to help them.

Here are a few suggestions that you can follow as you help and support your loved ones during their illness.

• The first thing that you should be doing is gaining as much knowledge as possible about bipolar disorder so that you have a sense of what your loved one is going through. This knowledge will help you identify ways in which you can be of most help to your loved one as well as act with sympathy towards their anger, frustration, or any other behavior.
• Make a thorough research about the different care options that are used to deliver the best treatment for bipolar disorder. Also, offer to accompany your loved one while scheduling appointments or visits to different bipolar disorder rehabilitation center.
• Once your loved one is undergoing therapy for bipolar disorder, actively involve yourself in their therapeutic processes. This ensures that they are more likely to experience successful outcomes from their treatment.
• Follow every recommendation strictly that has been suggested by the treatment provider so that your loved one can have continued success following the completion of their treatment.
• Remind your loved ones to take their medications consistently. People with bipolar disorder often tend to skip their medications or stop taking them completely once they feel alright. But this could lead to serious repercussions. Consult with the treatment providers to guide you through this process. 
• Become a strong support system for your loved one. Understand that bipolar disorder is a troubling condition that will gradually heal. You need to be patient.

Psychosocial Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Some of the effective Psychosocial bipolar disorder treatment options include –

1. Group Therapy: In this form of therapy, one or more therapists work with different patients simultaneously. It is a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes other therapies and medications. The group included patients with bipolar disorder at various stages of the treatment. When patients see people who are coping and recovering from the same illness that they are dealing with, it gives them hope. 
2. Occupational Therapy: It assists people with bipolar disorder to participate in daily life. Considering that this illness can impact your job, it becomes an extremely important process of treatment. 
3. Supported Employment: This is a program in which people are suffering from mental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries are assisted in maintaining employment. 
4. Social Skill Training: In this therapy approach, the therapists focus on improving interpersonal relations. The training centers on both verbal and non-verbal behaviors that are commonly used in social relationships. Social skill training can be performed through group or individual training. 

Continued Care and Treatment Programs for Bipolar Disorder

Cadabam’s aims at offering comprehensive permanent cure for bipolar disorder and treatment, which includes an elaborate plan for patient discharge and continuing care services. Our services ensure that anyone who comes to our rehab for bipolar disorder treatment receives a continued care plan so that there is no chance for relapse once the treatment is complete. Besides, individuals who seek rehabilitation for bipolar disorder at our center are given continued care staff to assess their unique needs and devise an appropriate treatment plan.

Cadabam’s even offers lectures and one-on-one sessions to establish any follow-up appointments that may be required after their discharge.

Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness; rather, it’s a sign of strength. If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder, look no further than Cadabam’s. We have always delivered the finest and superior care to our patients and got them back on track to a happy and fulfilling life. You can have the life you have envisioned here at Cadabam’s.

Why Cadabam’s?

For nearly three decades, Cadabam’s have been providing holistic treatment for a wide range of mental health issues, including bipolar disorder. Our psychiatric rehabilitation is both an individualized and collaborative process that is implemented with continuous care and support. We do not just focus on reducing the symptoms but also allow the patients to return to their normal life with effective rehabilitation therapy. We take care of every little detail to ensure our patients get their happy and healthy life back. We extend a rehabilitation center for bipolar disorder and mental health issues that is integrated with advanced equipment and infrastructure. At Cadabam’s, we have a multi-specialty team; patients are treated by psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors, who hold decades of experience in the field.  

Dealing with bipolar disorder patients is extremely challenging. This is why we have a 24/7 support team and ambulance service. Call us @ 96111 94949 to learn more about Rehabilitation and treatment options for Bipolar disorder at Cadabam’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some interventions for bipolar disorder?

The primary bipolar treatment encompasses medications along with psychological counseling to control the symptoms. Psychotherapy includes:

• Group therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Supported employment
• Social skill training

2. Can bipolar be managed without medication?

Medicines are important to control the extreme symptoms of bipolar. And the bipolar disorder treatment guidelines suggest the use of medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes and therapy have a slow but strong impact on controlling the symptoms. Some lifestyle changes include –

• Good sleep
• Balanced diet
• Exercise
• Being consistent with therapies

3. Do the symptoms of bipolar get worse with age?

If bipolar disorder is left untreated, the issue may get worse with age. Individuals may experience severe and more frequent episodes of mood swings that may be harder to control.

4. Does Bipolar Turn Into Schizophrenia?

During the episode of manic or depressive, patients can experience psychotic symptoms. This can encompass delusions or hallucinations. This is why people often mistake the bipolar symptoms with the ones of schizophrenia.

5. What triggers a bipolar episode?

Following are some factors that may trigger bipolar episodes –

• Having a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder
• High-stress episode
• Death of the loved ones
• Any traumatic event
• Alcohol or drug abuse

6. Can drugs cause bipolar episode?

Drugs are dangerous for the human body. Excessive consumption and dependence on a substance can lead to multiple mental and physical health issues. Substance abuse can trigger multiple disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder.

7. Is Bipolar Disorder Inherited?

Is Bipolar disorder genetic or can it be inherited? The short answer is yes, bipolar disorder can be inherited. Severe incidences of Bipolar Disorder have strong genetic components associated with them.