There are a lot of popular stereotypes and assumptions surrounding both bipolar disorder and the people who suffer from them. These stereotypes and the stigmas attached to them can prevent folks from getting the treatment they need so we would like to take a moment to open up about this mental health condition and set the record straight.
We Are Not Our Disorder
It’s important to consider that folks who suffer from bipolar disorder feel more than just mania and depression. While it’s true that these states of mind are a major part of their lives and are felt deeply by our clients who struggle with the disease, they also feel contentment and aggravation, love and anger, and confidence and insecurity. In short, they are not their disorder – they are living, breathing people with hopes and dreams.
Breaking Down the Stereotypes
Taking a wider perspective, the onus is on us as a society to listen, learn, and educate each other in order to break down the stereotypes surrounding mental health conditions. Speaking from a viewpoint closer to home – in fact, from the frontlines where Creative Care operates – this highlights the need for the patient-centered care we’re known for. When these folks are recognized as individuals and can receive compassionate treatment, the healing can begin.
Major Depression and Manic Episodes
Drawing the focus in even closer, to a more clinical perspective, we would also like to point out that bipolar disorder is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis – it actually exists on a spectrum. At one end of this spectrum lies bipolar I, and it is this version of the disorder that seems to have stuck in the general public’s mind. It includes episodes of major depression along with at least one manic episode lasting at least a week.
Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder, and More
Bipolar II is similar, though without a manic episode. Instead, it features periods of hypomania, less intense form of mania. Because these milder episodes can be mistaken for regular happiness, bipolar II is often misdiagnosed as depression. The spectrum also includes cyclothymic disorder, which features alternating periods of hypomania and brief depression, as well bipolar conditions relating to antidepressant use, family history, substance abuse, and other behavioral disorders.
Recognizing the Spectrum
The distinctions between the types of bipolar disorder are much less important than an idea of the range that bipolar conditions can cover. A therapist may meet a number of clients who may not appear to have bipolar disorder at first glance but could very well fall somewhere along the spectrum. Therapeutic success depends upon recognizing those patients who don’t fit into neat little boxes. Again, this means patient-centered care.
Understanding the Core of Each Patient’s Experiences
At Creative Care, every client receives a comprehensive assessment by our psychiatrist and seasoned clinicians. This ensures diagnostic accuracy through psychological evaluation, physical examinations, and clinical observation. Creative Care believes in unearthing and understanding the core of each patient’s experiences. We collaborate with them to target symptoms and achieve goals, and join them in their recovery journey.
Innovate Care From Admissions to Aftercare
Creative Care coordinates our services to treat each client holistically from admissions to aftercare. For our clients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, those services may include:
- Individual and group counseling
- Medications
- Family or couples therapy
- Art therapy
- Nutrition group
- Equine group
- Yoga and other relaxation therapy
We work as a team to help you manage your symptoms and live a new life of happiness and fulfillment. If you or someone you love is suffering from bipolar disorder, start the recovery process today by calling Creative Care at 855-954-0762.