Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These shifts can affect sleep, energy levels, activity, judgment, and behavior, often disrupting daily life and relationships. If left untreated, bipolar disorder can lead to significant challenges, including impaired functioning, increased risk for substance abuse, and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Located in Westminster, Colorado, West Pines Behavioral Hospital is a bipolar disorder treatment center that provides comprehensive care for adolescents ages 13-17 and adults age 18 and older. Staffed by a team of experienced professionals, the facility offers an array of therapeutic services designed to foster healing and enhance overall mental well-being. If you are struggling with bipolar disorder, remember that you are not alone. The compassionate team at West Pines Behavioral Hospital is here to guide you on your journey toward healing and renewed hope.
Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can profoundly impact nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, influencing school and work performance, personal relationships, and even basic self-care. If left untreated, bipolar disorder can lead to serious and far-reaching consequences. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment. Common indicators include:
Manic phase symptoms:
- Increased energy and activity: Unusually high energy levels and hyperactivity
- Elevated mood: Extreme happiness or irritability
- Racing thoughts: Rapid shifts in ideas and difficulty concentrating
- Decreased need for sleep: Feeling rested after only a few hours of sleep
- Impulsivity: Engaging in risky behaviors, such as spending sprees or reckless driving
- Grandiosity: An inflated sense of self-esteem or unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities
Depressive phase symptoms:
- Low energy: Persistent fatigue and lack of motivation
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness: Intense feelings of despair or worthlessness
- Loss of interest: Diminished interest in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite or weight: Significant weight loss or gain
- Sleep disturbances: Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing or making decisions
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide: Preoccupation with death or suicidal thoughts
An individual does not need to display every sign and symptom to receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Mental health professionals assess the presence of specific key indicators, considering their severity and duration, to reach an accurate diagnosis. Because bipolar disorder affects different people in different ways, it’s important for each patient to receive personalized treatment.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Anyone can develop bipolar disorder no matter their race, age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The condition can emerge at any stage of life. It often first appears in late adolescence or early adulthood, but it can also develop later. Here are some key causes of and risk factors for bipolar disorder:
- Family history: Having a close relative who has bipolar disorder increases a person’s risk, suggesting a genetic component.
- Neurotransmitter imbalances: Abnormalities in brain chemicals, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, may play a role in mood regulation.
- Brain structure differences: Certain structural or functional differences in the brain may be linked to bipolar disorder.
- Stressful life events: Major life changes, trauma, and significant stress can trigger episodes in individuals who are predisposed to the disorder.
- Substance abuse: Alcohol or drug use can exacerbate symptoms or trigger mood episodes.
- Personality traits: Certain personality traits, such as high sensitivity to stress or emotional intensity, may contribute to a person’s risk for developing bipolar disorder.
- Hormonal fluctuations: Changes in hormone levels, such as those experienced during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can influence mood stability.
Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder can seem overwhelming, but at West Pines Behavioral Hospital, we’re here to offer compassion and expertise. Our dedicated team of mental health professionals provides personalized treatment that addresses your unique needs, empowering you to take control of your mental health and work toward healing.
Potential Effects of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder poses a range of challenges that can profoundly impact various facets of a person’s daily life. Here are some of the potential impacts of bipolar disorder:
- Mood swings: Extreme shifts between manic highs and depressive lows
- Irritability: Increased agitation or frustration during mood episodes
- Relationship strain: Difficulties maintaining personal and professional relationships due to mood fluctuations
- Job performance: Challenges maintaining consistent work performance, leading to potential job loss
- Frequent absences: Increased days off due to mood episodes or treatment needs
- Sleep disturbances: Insomnia during manic phases or excessive sleeping during depressive episodes
- Impulsivity: Engaging in risky behaviors, such as spending sprees or reckless driving, during manic episodes
- Substance abuse: Increased risk for using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism
- Increased risk for other conditions: Higher likelihood of developing anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental health concerns
- Suicidal thoughts: Elevated risk for self-harm and suicide, especially during depressive phases
Bipolar disorder treatment can help mitigate these effects, allowing individuals to lead more stable and fulfilling lives. Through a combination of medication, therapy, and support, patients of West Pines Behavioral Hospital can learn to manage their symptoms effectively, improve their coping strategies, and strengthen their relationships.
Bipolar Disorder Statistics
If you have bipolar disorder, you are not alone. This condition affects millions of people worldwide each year, highlighting the shared experiences and challenges faced by those who are living with it.
The following statistics are provided by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
- Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older, every year.
- Bipolar disorder is the sixth-leading cause of disability in the world.
- Left untreated, bipolar disorder results in a 9.2-year reduction in expected life span, and as many as 1 in 5 patients who have bipolar disorder die by suicide.
At West Pines Behavioral Hospital, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of bipolar disorder. Our dedicated team of mental health professionals will provide you with a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs so that you feel empowered to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Benefits of Bipolar Disorder Treatment
By receiving effective bipolar disorder treatment, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms, reduce the frequency and intensity of mood swings, and develop healthier coping strategies. The following are some of the potential benefits of bipolar disorder treatment:
- Mood regulation: Treatment can help stabilize mood swings, leading to fewer extreme highs and lows.
- Reduced irritability: Individuals often experience a decrease in irritability and agitation.
- Increased productivity: Stabilization of mood can lead to improved performance at work or school.
- Understanding triggers: Treatment helps individuals identify personal triggers for mood episodes, promoting proactive management.
- Coping strategies: Patients can learn effective coping mechanisms to handle stress and challenges.
- Lower risk for substance abuse: Treatment can decrease the likelihood of turning to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
- Physical well-being: Improved mental health often correlates with better physical health, including healthier lifestyle choices.
- Decreased suicidal thoughts: Effective management of symptoms can significantly lower the risk for self-harm and suicide.
At West Pines Behavioral Hospital, we’re ready to support you on your path to wellness. We believe that healing is possible, and we are committed to delivering care that is tailored to your unique needs. Our dedicated team can provide you with the tools and resources necessary for lasting change.
Why Choose Our Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center in Westminster?
At our bipolar disorder treatment center, your mental health is our top priority. We are dedicated to providing you with the support you need. When you choose us, you can expect:
- A nurturing environment that is designed to promote comfort and safety
- Group therapy sessions led by licensed or master’s-level therapists that cover topics such as coping skills, trauma, triggers, and establishing healthy boundaries
- Regular consultations with a psychiatrist who will monitor your progress
- Medication management services provided by registered nurses and licensed psychiatrists
- Experiential therapies, such as art therapy, facilitated by recreational therapists
- On-site detoxification services available for adults as needed
- Basic medical care as needed
At West Pines Behavioral Hospital in Westminster, Colorado, we understand the challenges that come with bipolar disorder, but we also know that healing is possible.
We’re here for you, and we believe that some of your best days are ahead. Reach out to us today and take your first step on the road to healing. Together, we can pave a brighter, more hopeful path forward.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at West Pines Behavioral Hospital.