Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Arizona
Find Stability & Lasting Relief
The National Institute of Mental Health finds that 83% of people with bipolar disorder experience severe disruption in daily life and 17% face moderate disruption. In short, nearly everyone with untreated bipolar disorder struggles with a meaningful decline in quality of life.
You are not alone in this. Feeling overwhelmed by mood shifts does not mean you have failed. With the right treatment, you can regain balance, rebuild relationships, and create a life that feels steady and meaningful. Lifeline Behavioral Health offers compassionate, evidence based care to help you find lasting stability and hope.
What We Treat
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be debilitating. Depression can make it hard to get out of bed in the morning. Manic episodes can hurt your bank account, and you may not remember what happened.
The symptoms are many and can be very damaging. This is true for both individuals with bipolar disorder themselves and the people who love them. Thankfully, Lifeline Behavioral Health offers treatment for bipolar disorder. Through our counseling, you can gain the strategies and support needed to take control of your life.
Comprehensive Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition marked by episodes of mania and depression. These intense mood shifts can disrupt daily routines, relationships, and overall well-being. Some forms, such as bipolar II, involve milder manic episodes known as hypomania, but all forms require specialized care and support.
At Lifeline Behavioral Health, we provide evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage symptoms and regain balance. Our approach combines counseling, medication management, and group support to build a strong foundation for lasting stability. With compassionate care, we guide you toward long-term wellness and a healthier quality of life.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Bipolar Disorder
Personalized Therapy for Lasting Stability
We offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP), which involves three sessions of group therapy and one session of individual therapy per week for either eight or four weeks, though the timeline can be customized to your needs. Our therapy groups have their own focuses, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to recognize destructive thought patterns and reframe them into something more positive
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to manage and process strong emotions in a productive way
- Women’s wellness
- Men’s wellness
- Substance use recovery
- Parenting
- Concerns of veterans and first responders
- Health anxiety
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) & Telehealth for Bipolar Disorder
Flexible, Comprehensive Treatment
Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) consists of individualized therapeutic interventions at our facility all day. You’ll return home in the evenings. This option is great if you want intensive, structured treatment. On-site housing is also available for people in PHP who would benefit from staying away from home during treatment.
We’re also very proud of our telehealth option, which is eliminating barriers to care for people in need all across Arizona. You deserve to heal from your bipolar disorder, even if you can’t make it to an in-person appointment every week. We even offer a hybrid option, giving you the ability to attend counseling in person or via telehealth, depending on what suits you best.
A Lifeline to the Life You Deserve
Taking the first step toward healing is powerful, and our team is here to guide and support each client every step of the way.
A Condition of Ups and Downs
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition categorized by a cycle of depressive and manic symptoms. Mania is a state of extreme energy, where a person may feel like they can do anything and may neglect taking care of their basic needs, like eating or sleeping, in favor of starting several new tasks. Depression, on the other hand, is a persistent feeling of sadness and lack of energy, among other symptoms. People with bipolar disorder cycle between these two mood states, or a less severe state of mania known as hypomania, which can greatly disrupt their daily lives.
What It Means to Be Bipolar
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Contrary to popular belief, bipolar disorder isn’t just about going from happy to sad in one day or your mood changing dramatically from one day to the next. People with bipolar disorder go through a cycle of depressive and manic (or hypomanic) episodes, with each lasting for multiple days at a time. Sometimes, you might have a “mixed episode,” where both manic and depressive symptoms are present simultaneously.
Mania and hypomania differ in severity. Manic symptoms only need to be present for four consecutive days to be hypomania. Hypomania also isn’t severe enough to cause much of a disruption in your daily life. If you experience psychosis or need to be hospitalized due to your symptoms, it’s a manic episode by default.
If you experience four “cycles” of mania/hypomania and major depression in one year, it’s considered “rapid cycling” bipolar disorder.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are two major types of bipolar disorder, with each providing a different life experience.
Bipolar I
Mania is the most distinguishing feature of bipolar I. To be diagnosed with bipolar I, someone needs to experience a manic episode – not hypomania – that is at least a week-long, or so severe that it requires hospitalization.
Mania greatly interferes in the lives of people with bipolar I. A hypomanic episode might provide someone with more energy, enthusiasm, motivation, and overestimation of their own abilities.
A manic episode can lead people to make very bad choices. They may go days without sleeping or eating. They might say hurtful things that damage their relationships. They can also struggle to focus and finish tasks, even if they feel capable of anything.
Experiencing a major depressive episode is likely for people with bipolar I, but isn’t necessarily required for a bipolar I diagnosis.
Bipolar II
People with bipolar II disorder experience a distinct pattern of mood fluctuations, alternating between hypomanic episodes and periods of deep depression. Unlike bipolar I disorder, which includes full episodes of mania, bipolar II is characterized by hypomania, which is a milder, yet still disruptive, form of an elevated mood.
Hypomanic episodes may not be as severe as mania. However, they can still cause impulsive actions, risky behaviors, and trouble keeping up with responsibilities.
However, the episodes of deep depression in bipolar II can be just as debilitating. Many individuals struggle with long-lasting depressive episodes that interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
The cycling between hypomania and depression can create instability, making it challenging to sustain routines, maintain employment, and navigate emotional connections.
The Manic and Depressive Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder’s symptoms can be split into two categories: depressive symptoms and manic symptoms.
Depressive Symptoms
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness
- Irritability
- Loss of interest and pleasure in activities
- Sleep disturbances
- Lack of energy where even small tasks feel very hard
- Weight and appetite changes
- Feelings of shame, worthlessness, and guilt
- Thinking of death or suicide
Manic Symptoms
- Being more energetic and active
- Feeling like you can do anything
- Needing significantly less sleep
- Talkativeness and fast speech
- Racing thoughts
- Lack of focus
- Making impulsive decisions, like buying sprees or participating in risky sexual activity
Risk Factors
Who Experiences Bipolar Disorder?
We’re still learning more about what causes bipolar disorder, but so far, brain composition and genetics have been shown to play a role. People with bipolar disorder’s brains are different, but it’s unclear which comes first – the condition or the differences. While no one has found a “bipolar gene,” people with bipolar disorder in their family are more likely to develop it themselves.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have bipolar disorder if it doesn’t run in your family. Some think the condition can also be caused by trauma, especially in childhood, or stress. That can affect anyone, and bipolar disorder can, too.
Client Successes
How Bipolar Disorder Is Diagnosed & What to Expect During the Exam
Your practitioner will likely perform some exams related to your general health to ensure that your symptoms aren’t caused by another health condition.
Then, you’ll see a mental health professional who will ask you several questions about your feelings, experiences, and behavior. Sometimes, the provider will ask to speak to the people around you too, to learn more about you that you might not notice yourself. They’ll also likely have you keep track of your mood to see how often you cycle between “highs” and “lows.”
They’ll use the DSM-5 criteria as a guide to diagnose you, and if they believe you meet the criteria, you’ll receive a diagnosis and take the next steps toward treatment.
No Insurance? No Problem.
Not everyone has insurance, and that shouldn’t stand in the way of getting help. We offer cash pay options for all services, making care more accessible and straightforward. Many clients prefer cash pay for its flexibility, especially for lower-cost treatments. Reach out to explore your options and get started today.
Trust Lifeline Behavioral Health in Arizona for Your Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar disorder doesn’t have to control you. Treatment is available, and it will change your life. We hope you’ll take the next step toward healing and contact us.
Lifeline Behavioral Health has been in the business of empowering individuals to overcome behavioral health concerns for 20 years. We’re experts in our field, constantly learning and growing in our expertise to bring you the best care possible, no matter your condition or what weighs on you.
Healing takes community. Community is your lifeline.
Insurance Coverage
Here at Lifeline Behavioral Health, we understand that paying for care is a number one concern. We accept many types of insurance plans. Don’t see your carrier on the list? Not to worry, just give us a call and we can verify your insurance plan. Our team can also work with you on paying for care outside of insurance or utilizing out-of-network benefits.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder
Do you need to take medication to treat bipolar?
Medication can be a helpful tool to manage bipolar disorder, but some people with the condition can manage their condition through psychotherapy alone.
Can someone with bipolar disorder live a normal life?
Definitely, while bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, therapy and/or medication allow the majority of people to live healthy, balanced lives.
What are the primary treatment options for bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is typically managed through a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Medications may include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, while psychotherapy options encompass cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, and family therapy.
How do mood stabilizers work in treating bipolar disorder?
Mood stabilizers help regulate mood swings by balancing neurotransmitter activity in the brain, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes.
Are there alternative therapies that can aid in managing bipolar disorder?
Complementary approaches such as mindfulness meditation and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule may support traditional treatments. However, these should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure they complement the primary treatment plan.
What lifestyle changes can support the management of bipolar disorder?
Implementing regular exercise routines, adhering to a balanced diet, establishing consistent sleep patterns, and avoiding substances like alcohol and recreational drugs can help stabilize mood fluctuations.
Is psychotherapy necessary if I am already on medication for bipolar disorder?
Yes, combining medication with psychotherapy has been shown to be more effective than medication alone. Therapy provides strategies to manage symptoms, cope with stress, and adhere to treatment plans.
How can family members support a loved one undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder?
Family involvement through therapy sessions, education about the disorder, and providing a supportive home environment can enhance treatment outcomes and help manage the condition effectively.
What should I do if I experience side effects from bipolar disorder medications?
It’s important to communicate any side effects to your healthcare provider promptly. They can adjust dosages or suggest alternative medications to mitigate adverse effects while effectively managing symptoms.
Can bipolar disorder be managed without medication?
While some individuals may manage mild symptoms through lifestyle changes and therapy, medication is often essential for controlling significant mood swings and preventing relapse. Treatment plans should be personalized in consultation with a healthcare professional.