Bipolar disorder is a mental health issue known as a mood disorder. It’s characterized by experiencing both manic and depressive states for more than a few months at a time. Fortunately, those diagnosed with bipolar disorder can lead to healthy and manageable lives with the help of therapeutic services and prescription medications. Here at South Coast Psychiatric Services, we help individuals living with bipolar disorder by offering bipolar disorder treatment. This way, people with a bipolar diagnosis can establish manageable lives by helping with medication management and other effective psychiatric services.
Characteristics of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is most commonly diagnosed by physicians by identifying specific characteristics of this mental health issue. So, if you have not received a diagnosis yet, and you are wondering if you may be living with bipolar disorder, you may be able to identify some of the characteristics in your own life. Some characteristics of bipolar disorder include:
Depression: While there are different types of bipolar disorders, each one may be characterized by a major depressive episode. Basically, these depressive episodes are debilitating enough to affect other areas of life like home, work, or school. These episodes may include symptoms like sleeplessness, apathy, restlessness, feelings of hopelessness, weight loss or weight gain, sadness, and suicidal thoughts.
Mania/hypomania: While mania and hypomania differ, they are similar. And, if you have a type of bipolar disorder, you will experience either of these symptoms. Both mania and hypomania can be characterized by symptoms of sleeplessness, magnified self-confidence, increased talkativeness, poor judgment and decision making, upbeat mood, and increased distractibility.
Other Characteristics: While mania/hypomania and depressive disorders are huge in diagnosing the type of bipolar disorder patients may be living with, other symptoms can arise as well. These can include psychosis, feelings of sorrow, anxiety, and anguish.
Getting a Diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder:
If you recognize some, most, or even all of the characteristics of bipolar disorder listed above, you may want to get an accurate diagnosis. Bipolar Disorder diagnosis includes the evaluation of a patient to determine whether or not they indeed have Bipolar Disorder.
Here at SouthCoast Psychiatric Services, our medical staff and physicians first determine correct diagnosis before establishing a treatment plan for patients. This way, our patients understand the type of bipolar disorder they have. And, our staff can determine the best method of treatment. The diagnosis evaluation process consists of:
Physical Evaluation: While bipolar disorders are mental health conditions, they can actually be the result of physical issues. So, a physical exam will help to determine if there are any underlying medical issues that may be causing bipolar disorders.
Mental Evaluation: This evaluation consists of a psychological assessment with a psychiatric specialist. This evaluation may include discussions with a psychiatric specialist about changes in mood and behavior. And, may even include questions for your closest family members and loved ones to get a full-scale view of the symptoms you’re dealing with. Finally, this assessment may include a self-assessment which is often tracking moods and feelings throughout the day to determine your personal experience with bipolar characteristics.
Criteria Evaluation: Finally, after the physical and mental assessments are complete, a psychiatric specialist will compare your symptoms to the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This manual will help our specialists better pinpoint the exact characteristics of bipolar disorder you are living with. This way, patients have the most accurate diagnosis.
Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
There are different types of bipolar disorders. And each patient has their own experience. So, not all treatments for bipolar disorders are the same. At SouthCoast Psychiatric Services, we offer a number of treatment options for patients with bipolar diagnoses including:
Psychiatric Services: We are a mental health facility that focuses on all things psychiatric. So, our team or psychiatric specialists can help to determine the best psychiatric care for bipolar disorder patients. This may include prescribing and managing psychiatric medications which are traditionally helpful in treating bipolar disorder. Some of these medications include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. If and once prescribed, we monitor the use of these medications to ensure safety and effectiveness. And, manipulate dosage to ensure the best results and treatment for each of our patients.
Counseling Services: Therapy can help patients address various issues they face living with mental health disorders. We offer counseling to identify and address various issues that may arise as a result of bipolar disorder. These issues may include depression, anxiety, family problems, stress, and more.
Dual Diagnosis Services: Often, patients with a bipolar diagnosis are also dealing with concurring issues. These may include other mental health issues and substance abuse. To get the best chance for effective treatment, patients must address all aspects of mental health which may affect mental health diagnosis. So, we offer dual diagnosis services for those affected in order to address every need throughout treatment.
Getting Help for Bipolar Disorders at SouthCoast Psychiatric Services
Wondering if you have bipolar disorder or already have a diagnosis for bipolar disorder? SouthCoast Psychiatric Services can help to provide the treatment you need to live a manageable life with bipolar disorder. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today right on our website or call 561-241-6628.