Bipolar Disorder: How Does Therapy Help the Return of an Episode?
Individuals living with bipolar disorder experience returns of their episodes. The episodes they experience are depression and hypomania or mania, or mixed.
The Experience
When the episode returns, the individual may experience feeling defeated, annoyed, guilt, shame, or a loss of control. Their thoughts could include, “I failed again,” “This is running my life,” “I don’t have control,” “I’m sick and tired of this,” or, “When will this stop and go away?”
Part of living with bipolar disorder is that there will be a return of an episode. This can be very difficult for individuals to sit with. It’s important to know that bipolar disorder is treatable and manageable, which can lead to catching episodes before they increase in severity. Doing this can also decrease how much an episode impacts the individual’s life. Action steps can be learned and practiced with a mental health professional who is knowledgeable and experienced in working with clients who are living with bipolar disorder.
Things to Consider:
There are multiple factors that contribute to bipolar disorder, including biology.
Treatment and management includes attending to the individual’s medical and psychological experiences, as well as their lifestyle and stressors.
There are multiple therapy approaches to treating bipolar disorder, including Social Rhythm and Interpersonal Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to name a few.
There are specific support groups for bipolar disorder.
The help and assistance you receive should be non-judgmental, supportive, educational, and motivational.
You don’t have to do this alone. I specialize in Bipolar Disorder. If you are interested in therapy me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
(NOTE: This video was filmed when my office was at a previous location. I am now in Irvine, CA)
My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.