Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Formally known as manic depression, bipolar is a serious condition that can cause dangerous behavior, including suicidal tendencies. The manic and depressive periods can be brief (hours or days) or last several weeks or even months. Bipolar disorder is typically treated with a combination of therapy and medication. If you are suffering from bipolar disorder (or suspect you might be), contact one of TherapyDen’s specialists to get help today.
Bipolar mood swings can be frightening. One week you may feel depressed, unmotivated even suicidal. Then you surge into a whirlwind of high energy, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, and maybe you do things that you feel embarrassed about later, when you come down from the emotional high. And this leads to more depression, shame and guilt. It's exhausting! There's hope. People with bipolar disorder lead healthy, productive lives with proper diagnosis and treatment.
— Celia Tatman, Counselor in Matthews, NC, NCBipolar disorder can lead to abrupt mood shifts that can be difficult to manage and lead to impulsive choices, psychosis, challenged relationships, etc. There are therapeutic techniques we can engage in together to help bring about increased awareness of how lifestyle and mood are intertwined for you personally and identify areas for adjustment. Through processing in therapy, we can work together toward a greater sense of balance - both internally and externally.
— Dr. Dana Avey, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Colorado Springs, COI have spent the last three years working specifically with adults with severe mental illness including bipolar disorders in varying stages of recovery. I also have lived experience with bipolar disorder that I can draw from when it is helpful to relate, while also recognizing that everyone's experience is unique.
— Nick Vaske, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Portland, ORI have several years of experience working as a DBT therapist and during this time I treated clients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I help clients learn to be more mindful in their shifts in mood and symptoms and develop a preventative self-care style to better manage their symptoms.
— Wild Therapy/ Stacey Cholick, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Austin, TXFeeling like your emotions are not in your control is very scary.
— Sonia Kersevich, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Greenbelt, MDI have worked with people with Bipolar Disorders for 3 years and believe a collaborative approach towards a treatment plan works best.
— Samantha Fitzgerald, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NYI have studied extensively about Bipolar Disorder and have worked with many affected clients. My focus is in mood management. I incorporate many concepts of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my treatment approach, which I have found extremely helpful with Bipolar Disorder.
— Jasmeen Miah, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Cruz, CAIn addition to medication management, helping client's increase mindful awareness of their moment-to-moment thoughts, feelings, and internal sensations, as well as deviations, is key to successfully managing the bipolar experience. Using a variety of DBT and ACT skills, I can help you overcome the overwhelm with effective skills-based coping and support. Commonly, many people working with bipolar symptoms also have significant trauma histories that we can also address with EMDR and IFS therapy.
— Cameron Lewis, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Redmond, WAI have many years of experience working with mood disorders. There are a lot of misconceptions about Bipolar Disorder out there. I work with my clients to help them develop adaptive ways to regulate their moods.
— Micia Harris, Licensed Professional CounselorI have several years of experience working as a therapist and during this time I treated clients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I help clients learn to be more mindful in their shifts in mood and symptoms and develop a preventative self-care style to better manage their symptoms.
— Wild Therapy/ Stacey Cholick, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Austin, TXI have a strong interest and background working with people with bipolar disorder. I do so under the recommendations of the APA which is to offer weekly therapy in combination with medications. Because I am working online, I may refer some clients with severe cases to in person therapy. This is to provide them with the best protection possible.
— Patricia Ellis Christensen, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in , CAI enjoy working with people who have bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. I ran groups for people with bipolar disorder for more than eight years in a previous position. When I work with mood issues, usually we focus on a combination of things like improving your self care, using mindfulness based therapies/DBT, and sometimes considering medications. Together we learn about your key warning signs for depression or hypomania and what to do if you start feeling that way.
— Lisette Lahana, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in St Petersburg, FLBipolar disorder presents with high or low moods, described as mood swings. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgement, behavior and the ability to think clearly.
— Mariam Odu-onikosi, Mental Health Practitioner in Euless, TXI have worked with many clients recently diagnosed with bipolar, and I also work with clients that are experiencing a manic or depressive episode. Bipolar can disrupt life and cause chaos and suffering. My goal in working with clients is to help them understand what bipolar looks like in their life. Just because you are diagnosed as bipolar it does not have to define your life. You are more than your diagnosis.
— Cori Ross, Therapist in Alpharetta, GABipolar can be a difficult experience, but it does not have to be a negative one. Together I help my clients understand the way their cycles and symptoms effect their lives, create interventions to reduce vulnerabilities and increase protective factors, and see themselves as the whole person they are.
— Nicole Depasquale, Licensed Professional Counselor in Beachwood, NJI have a strong interest and background working with people with bipolar disorder. I do so under the recommendations of the APA which is to offer weekly therapy in combination with medications. Because I am working online, I may refer some clients with severe cases to in person therapy. This is to provide them with the best protection possible.
— Patricia Ellis Christensen, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in , CABipolar can be treated with several therapies. Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy uses tracking, social interaction, and circadian rhythms to keep you stable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be really effective for depression. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help resolve any trauma, such as hospitalizations and embarrassing memories. Mindfulness and education round out the treatment.
— Anna Khandrueva, Therapist in Broomfield, COBipolar Disorder is a mental illness that will always be dear to my heart. It may be a condition that you have for reasons beyond your control, but it does not define you. There are a myriad of solutions to help pad its difficult symptoms. Depending on what benefits you, we will work together to find them.
— Katherine Marie Work, Therapist in Northbrook, IL