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We Treat Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by severe swings in mood and dramatic shifts in energy and activity levels. Everyone’s moods are regularly changing but bipolar disorder is different. It is a severe mental illness that can easily interfere with daily life if not managed properly. Jackson House has programs that can help you treat your bipolar disorder so you can lead the life you want.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 4.4 percent of adults in the U.S. will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. Bipolar disorder can be managed. Jackson House has the experts to help.

People with bipolar disorder may experience symptoms of depression, mania, hypomania or a mixed episode where they are simultaneously manic and depressed. During a manic episode, they may feel euphoric and full of energy. They may engage in risky and impulsive behavior. In severe manic episodes, people may not even remember all the things that they said or did while manic. Conversely, during a depressive episode a person may struggle to get going, feel hopeless, helpless and struggle with motivation and concentration. Left untreated, bipolar disorder can be extremely destructive and life threatening.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness that gets worse over time without treatment. Indeed, manic episodes become more severe and happen more frequently in the absence of a stable medication regime. Fortunately, with a solid treatment plan, mood swings and other symptoms can be managed. Many people living with bipolar disorder have successful careers, families and lead very happy lives.

Do I have Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is different than feeling happy one day and sad the next. The mood swings associated with bipolar disorder cannot be controlled and can be debilitating. The first step to seeking treatment is to recognize the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. This information can make it easier to understand what may be causing the problems you are experiencing.

Common symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:

  • Unpredictable changes in mood or behavior (Mania and Depression)
  • Manic episodes followed by a period of depression
  • Difficulty managing daily tasks (Depression and Mania)
  • Noticeable, yet unexplainable, changes in energy or activity
  • Poor decision-making and difficulty making decisions (Mania and Depression)
  • Loss of interest in tasks and limited activity levels (Depression)
  • Lack of awareness of extreme changes in mood and behavior (Mania)

Unfortunately, the causes of bipolar disorder are not completely known. No one has been able to pinpoint exactly what brings on the illness. However, we do know bipolar disorder appears to be genetic and people are more likely to have it if a sibling or parent has the same condition. There are also risk factors that may trigger a bipolar episode or increase a person’s risk of becoming bipolar. These triggers include periods of intense stress or trauma and abuse of drugs or alcohol.

Do you have bipolar disorder? Take our quiz.

Quiz

Take our short quiz to see if you or someone you care about has any signs of bipolar disorder. Remember there is hope. Jackson House is here to help.

Question 1

Does the person affected have parents or siblings who suffer from bipolar disorder?

Question 2

Have you recently noticed the individual is functioning with significantly less sleep than normal and not feeling tired?

Question 3

When the person affected is having conversations with others, do you notice their thoughts are moving so fast it is hard to get them out? Have people commented on how rapidly the person is talking?

Question 4

Have you noticed the person cannot sit still and continually needs to be in motion?

Question 5

Do you feel like the individual’s behavior has become impulsive? This can look different in each person. For example, it could include shopping sprees, sex with multiple partners in a short window of time or a spur of the moment trip.

Question 6

Has the person withdrawn from family and friends or lost interest in activities that typically bring them joy?

Question 7

Does it seem hard for the person to concentrate on one thing at a time?

Question 8

Does the individual you are concerned about have over-inflated thoughts about their own capabilities? For example, maybe they think they can become their community’s next mayor or solve child hunger by the end of the week.

Question 9

Is the person you are worried about experiencing thoughts of suicide or thinking about death?

Question 10

Do they feel hopeless and unable to experience any pleasure?

Question 11

Have you noticed distinct periods where the person’s mood was severely depressed for over a week?

If you have answered yes to any of the questions above you, or the person you are worried about, could be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder. You should find a healthcare professional who can provide you with a proper diagnosis and the best treatment options for your needs. Call our team today to learn how we can help.

This Quiz is for informational purposes only and not to be considered a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Please consult a mental health professional.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment at Jackson House

Getting treatment at the first sign of bipolar disorder can help the condition from worsening and give individuals the skills to continue with their daily lives. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, treatment plans can help you manage the illness and live the life you want. At Jackson House, we can help you bring balance back to your life. We customize our bipolar disorder treatment programs to meet the needs of each of our clients. Our programs include:

Medication Management

Medication Management

Medication is a key component of treating bipolar disorder. Medications can help to stabilize your mood and reduce symptoms of mania or depression. Sometimes it can take a while to find the right medication and dosage. This process can require patience because it can take some time for medications to be fully effective. However, finding the correct medicine is imperative to long-term disease management. Over the years, medications may need to be adjusted depending on evolving symptoms. At Jackson House, we work side by side with our clients to help them find the right medication for their lifestyle.

Illness Education

Illness Education

Once you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is important to take the time to learn about the disease and fully understand the associated symptoms. This information is very powerful in managing the illness and helping patients continue on with their normal lives. When patients understand potential triggers, know what to be aware of as they start to sense moods changing or simply the daily steps they need to follow to stay healthy it makes a big difference in fighting the illness. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder can never fully be cured but with good education, it can be managed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This form of therapy targets your thoughts and actions. Your thoughts play a large role in how you feel. If your thought patterns are continually negative, it can start to impact your sense of self-worth. Sometimes the skills we’ve developed to respond to situations are not healthy or productive and can leave us feeling depressed. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you and your therapist will work to identify your current thought patterns and behavioral responses that might be contributing to symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, such as periods of depression or mania. Together, you will work to develop new thought patterns and coping mechanisms.

Family Involvement

Family Involvement

Bipolar disorder does tend to be genetic. If one family member is diagnosed, it is important to have a strong support system to rally around them. In the case of families, it is also critical that they be aware of the early indicators of bipolar disorder, so they can know when to reach out to help if they need it. We prioritize family involvement, with our patient’s consent, to help everyone understand how they can support their loved one and be a part of their ongoing care.

When to see a Doctor

If you are experiencing signs of bipolar disorder, you do not have to manage your illness alone. The team at Jackson House is here to provide you the support and help you need. Remember, reaching out for help at the earliest signs can make a big difference in your long-term well-being.

One of my best friends went to Jackson House for treatment semi-recently and had such a wonderful experience! She has been thriving since she left, all starting with the incredibly compassionate, nurturing, and professional team at Jackson House. I couldn’t recommend a facility more. They helped turn her life around completely when she was really struggling to keep her head above water. Mental health issues can be extremely challenging to overcome, but she was provided with some amazing tools to help get her to that point. She received the best care that we could’ve expected and all of her friends/family are insanely grateful for the guidance and direction provided by Jackson House!

Brenna

It's time to feel better

We are here to help and we are in-network with most insurance providers. Call us for a free and confidential consultation.

If you’re a provider and need to send us information on a client, please feel free to fax us at 619-303-7044. If you need help immediately, call our 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-766-4274. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Jackson House is licensed by the State of California Community Care Licensing Division and certified by the Department of Health Care Services. We are also CARF Accredited. If you have any client or quality of care concerns, please reach out to us at (888) 255-9280. If your concerns need further attention, you can contact the Department of Public Health at 619-278-3700 or the Community Care Licensing Division at 1-844-538-8766.