Understanding Your Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis: What Comes Next?
Getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder is a complicated experience. It may come after years of puzzling over mood swings and destructive behaviors. While it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions, this diagnosis is also an opportunity to take charge of your mental health. Understanding what bipolar disorder is and learning how to manage it effectively are crucial steps toward living a fulfilling life.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness defined by extreme mood changes that can range from energetic manic states to depressive states. These mood episodes are not just normal “mood swings.” They’re intense, last for a period of time, and can significantly affect daily functioning. There are different types of bipolar disorder, including:
Bipolar I Disorder: This has at least one manic episode that lasts a week or requires hospitalization, often accompanied by depressive episodes.
Bipolar II Disorder: This has hypomanic episodes (less intense than full mania) and major depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder: This has fluctuations between periods of hypomania and periods of depression that are less severe but persist over a longer period.
A diagnosis typically involves an assessment by a mental health professional who looks at your symptoms, medical history, and sometimes input from family or close friends.
After your diagnosis, you might not know where to go next. While there’s no one right answer, there are several steps you can take to begin managing your condition effectively.
Educate Yourself
Understanding more about bipolar disorder can help you recognize patterns in your mood, behaviors, and triggers. Resources like books, reputable websites, and support groups can give you insights into how the disorder works and what to expect. There are memoirs, fun graphic books, and dozens of reputable self-help books.
Build a Support System
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Sharing your diagnosis with trusted friends or family members can make you feel less isolated and encourage your loved ones to understand you on a deeper level. Support groups can connect you with others who face similar challenges. Hearing other stories of bipolar disorder and strategies for dealing with symptoms can be help you through your treatment plan.
Develop a Treatment Plan
Your treatment plan will likely involve a combination of approaches tailored to your needs. Usually you’ll have a three-pronged approach:
Medication
Your psychiatrist will most likely prescribe mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and/or antidepressants to manage your symptoms. You might not get the right dosage or combination of medications at first. Be patient with the process.
Psychotherapy
Therapy is an important part of managing bipolar disorder. Popular approaches are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and family-focused therapy. A therapist can help you recognize early signs of mood episodes, develop coping strategies for stress, and interrupt your negative thought processes.
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy habits can stabilize your mood and improve your overall well-being. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, engaging in regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and practicing mindfulness all contribute to better mental health.
Monitor Your Symptoms
Keeping track of your moods, energy levels, and behaviors can help you and your healthcare team identify concerning patterns. Using an app that tracks your mood or periodic journaling can make this process manageable. Early detection of mood changes can prevent mood episodes from getting worse.
Getting Help
If you’ve been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and haven’t figured out a treatment plan, contact me today. Together, we can determine which therapeutic approach would work best for your situation. Living with bipolar disorder doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right tools at your disposal, you can begin to live a life free of mood episodes.