Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

I specialize in treating bipolar disorder. It is a troubling reality for millions of individuals and families around the world. About 1 percent of people across all nations and cultures have the disorder, which can disrupt relationships, cognitive function,  and more. It’s the leading cause of disability among young people.

The most alarming potential result of bipolar symptoms is suicide — at least 25 to 50 percent of people with the disorder attempt suicide at least once.

That’s why staying on top of the disorder is imperative. It can’t be cured, but its effects can be mitigated with medication (both mood stabilizers and antidepressants) and therapy.

In my practice, I’ve found it’s important to involve the families of individuals with bipolar disorder throughout the process. A family-wide understanding of the disorder and how to treat it typically leads to better outcomes. Together we develop strategies for dealing with an individual’s specific triggers and conflicts that arise.

Bipolar is a lifelong diagnosis.  Developing a close relationship with a mental health specialist and being open with that person about symptoms and concerns is the best thing someone suffering from bipolar can do. Bipolar can’t be detected or tracked with blood tests or brain scans and it can be mistaken for unipolar depression, so frequent assessment is necessary.

Go here to learn more about bipolar disorder.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.