Bipolar disorders have long been thought to be something you cannot recover from. With new forms of medications and a renewed focus on mental health therapy this is no longer the case. Especially when someone is committed to recovery despite the challenges that arise in life or fluctuations in symptom severity.
How Can Psychiatric Medications Help with Bipolar Symptoms?
From observation, psychiatric medications can:
- Alleviate some of the mood fluctuations that generally occur with bipolar disorders
- Help decrease symptoms that impact daily functioning, e.g. low motivation, restlessness, sleep cycles, and anger
- Support building awareness around symptom changes in your body
Not all psychiatrists are willing to work with people who have bipolar disorders. It is important to find and locate a psychiatric medication provider near you that is comfortable with treating bipolar symptoms. Two psychiatric providers that are experienced in treating and supporting recovery include:
Dr. Ari Aal – https://delospsych.com/
Dr. Quinn Yen – https://www.mindframepsychiatry.com/
How Can Therapy for Bipolar Help Me?
In general, psychotherapy works in many ways by creating new neural patterns, increasing awareness of symptoms, and teaching coping skills.
Therapy for bipolar itself may contain all of these components noted above and more.
Bipolar therapy may support someone with the stigma associated with their diagnosis and help to build a life that they desire. Therapy sessions may focus on processing past guilt and shame related to impulsive, risky behaviors. Therapy does not have be solely focused on one thing, e.g. bipolar, but may include different topics. Therapy itself can also be about you and how you show up in life. See below for a list of other areas therapy can help with:
- Increase your self-esteem.
- Attunement and attachment patterns
- Alcohol and drugs that were used to self-medicate or numb our emotions
- Assertive communication
- Self-care strategies
- Trauma therapy
- Stress from work or relationships
Why Can’t I Just Control My Mood Swings?
This would be the easiest thing to do – if it worked! Imagine you put something small you don’t want to come out in a bottle of Coca-Cola, shake it up, and open it – what happens? It sprays and bubbles out everywhere.
Control as it relates to our thoughts, emotions, and internal sensations does not work. This is supported by evidenced-based research. Learning skills to manage shifts if emotion, mood, and thought patterns is much less exhausting and time consuming. Acceptance and psychological flexibility are the long-term goals of therapy.
How Do I Start My Recovery Process?
Our mental health professionals at Revitalize Mental Health PLLC are trained in therapy modalities to target bipolar symptoms to help you get your life back. Call now, or submit a form here, to schedule a free consultation and see how mental health therapy can support you.
