Bipolar Counseling Services In Grinnell and Williamsburg Iowa
Thanks to the extensive expertise of our team, we can provide bipolar treatments in Iowa.
What is bipolar disorder and who suffers from it?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings from depression to mania. It used to be called "manic depression". Bipolar disorder is A very serious condition because it can cause risky behavior and sometimes suicidal tendencies. It can be treated with counseling and medication.
"An estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives", according to the NIH.
People who suffer from bipolar disorder can have periods in which they feel overly happy and energized (so full of energy they often find it hard to sleep) and other periods of feeling very depressed. In between these high and low periods, they usually feel normal. The highs and the lows can be thought of as two "poles" of mood, which is why it's called "bipolar" disorder. Most people with this condition find they are in the depressed "pole" for longer periods than the "manic" pole.
The three types of bipolar disorder are:
- Bipolar I disorder: Periods of extreme erratic behavior, with the manic “up” periods lasting at least a week or are so severe that medical care is required. There are also usually extreme “down” periods that last at least two weeks.
- Bipolar II disorder:: Erratic highs and lows, but not as extreme as Bipolar I.
- Cyclothymic disorder: Periods of manic and depressive behavior that last at least two years in adults or one year in children and teens. Not as intense as bipolar disorder I or bipolar disorder II.
NOTE: The misuse of drugs and alcohol use can lead to more episodes no matter the type of bipolar disorder. If someone has both bipolar disorder and an alcohol use disorder, this is known as “dual diagnosis,” and requires help from a specialist who can address both issues.
Symptoms of bipolar mania ("the highs") can include:
- Excessive happiness
- Excessive hopefulness
- Excessive excitement
- Sudden swings in mood from being joyful to being irritated, angry, and sometimes even violent
- Restlessness
- Talking rapidly
- Not being able to concentrate
- Increased energy
- Not feeling the need for sleep
- Unusually high libido
- Making grand and sometimes totally unrealistic plans
- Exhibiting poor judgment and/or poor decision making
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Impulsive behavior
- Decreased appetite
- Increased self-confidence
- Being easily distracted.
Symptoms of bipolar depression ("the lows") can include:
- Lack of energy
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Not being able to enjoy things that they usually like
- Difficulties in concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Slow speech and/or quieter speech
- Loss of libido
- Not being able to experience pleasure
- Uncontrollable crying
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Irritability
- Sleeping more and/or spending more time in bed
- Insomnia
- Eating more and gaining weight or eating less and losing weight
- Thoughts of death or suicide or attempting suicide.
Don't continue to experience bipolar highs and lows - get bipolar treatments in Iowa today
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