Bipolar Disorder
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, which can significantly impact a person’s daily life and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. It is described as a mood disorder because it severely affects an individual’s emotional responses.
Bipolar disorder is distinguished by periods of mania or hypomania, where the individual experiences high energy, an elevated mood, difficulty concentrating, impulsive behaviour, is easily distracted, irritable, appears to need little or no sleep, and in some people incidences of psychosis.
These “high” (manic) periods may be interspersed with “low” episodes (depression); with symptoms during the low periods along similar lines to those experienced in major-depressive disorder, but not always.
Major mood disorders are the leading cause of suicide in the UK. The mortality rate for bipolar disorder is two to three times higher than that of the general population. About 10-20% of individuals with bipolar disorder take their own life, and nearly a third of patients make at least one attempt at suicide.
People with alcoholism are more than six times more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder than the general population. When there is a dual diagnosis of alcoholism occurring together with another psychiatric condition, this is called co morbidity or dual disorder.
Alcoholism (or another addictive illness) often makes diagnosis and treatment of the second psychiatric illness more difficult, because the behaviours and symptoms of alcoholism mask the symptoms of the other illness, and can prevent the client seeking help.
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Living with bipolar disorder presents numerous challenges that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life:
→ Emotional instability: The extreme mood swings from manic highs to depressive lows can be overwhelming and unpredictable, making it difficult to maintain emotional balance.
→ Impact on relationships: Mood swings can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. During manic phases, individuals may engage in risky or impulsive behaviours that can harm relationships. During depressive phases, they may withdraw and isolate themselves.
→ Work and financial difficulties: Maintaining consistent performance at work can be challenging due to the unpredictable nature of mood swings. Manic episodes can lead to reckless spending, while depressive episodes can result in absenteeism and decreased productivity.
→ Substance abuse: Some individuals with bipolar disorder turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with their symptoms, leading to substance abuse and addiction issues that complicate their mental health.
→ Suicide risk: Individuals with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for suicide. The depressive phases, in particular, can lead to feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
→ Sleep disturbances: Both manic and depressive episodes can disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or hypersomnia, which in turn can exacerbate mood swings.
Some of the signs of mania or hypomania include:
→ Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity – feeling on top of the world, imagined special connections with people in high places or powerful positions, exaggerated self-confidence.
→ Decreased need for sleep – going to bed late and rising very early, surviving on little sleep but still feeling refreshed.
→ Pressure of speech – hurrying, inability to get the words out in time, difficult to interrupt, loud and emphatic, continuing to talk even when no one is listening.
→ Flight of ideas – accelerated speech, thinking of one thing then another, speech becoming incoherent.
→ Distractibility – moving from one project to the next, can’t sustain attention, easily distracted.
→ Psychotic episodes – paranoia, imaginary friends, delusions, hallucinations, impairment of ordinary everyday activities.
→ Increased involvement in goal-oriented activities – workaholism, obsessive behaviour.
→ Psychomotor agitation – cannot sit still, fidgeting, pacing around, inner tension.
→ Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with a high potential for painful consequences: substance abuse, sexual acting out (several partners in a short period of time), excessive gambling and spending sprees.
Residential treatment for bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that requires comprehensive treatment tailored to individual needs. For some individuals with bipolar disorder, symptoms may be severe and difficult to manage on an outpatient basis. In such cases, a residential treatment programme may be the best option.
Ibiza Calm is a specialised mental health treatment clinic that provides a structured and supportive environment for individual suffering with bipolar disorder, where clients can receive intensive therapy and medical supervision, as well as peer support, reducing the sense of isolation and loneliness.
The clinic provides a comprehensive approach to treatment, addressing both the manic and depressive aspects of bipolar disorder and empowering individuals to regain stability, learn coping skills, and ultimately lead fulfilling lives. The Ibiza Calm team comprises experienced healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, who work together to provide the highest level of care and support to each patient.
Key components of residential treatment at Ibiza Calm include:
Comprehensive assessment: Upon admission, individuals undergo a thorough assessment to understand the severity of their bipolar disorder, co-occurring conditions, and specific needs. This helps in creating a personalised treatment plan.
Individualised treatment plans: Each person’s experience with bipolar is distinct, so treatment plans are tailored to address specific symptoms and challenges. This personalised approach enhances the effectiveness of therapy.
Supportive community: Being surrounded by peers who understand and share similar struggles creates a sense of belonging and support. Group therapy sessions provide opportunities to learn from others, share experiences, and build social skills.
Intensive one-to-one therapy: Residential treatment involves various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with both manic and depressive episodes; dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), which focuses on developing skills to manage emotions and improve relationships.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): TMS is a form of neuromodulation. A non-invasive, non-convulsive method of brain stimulation therapy that has proved effective in the treatment of neurological and mental health conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Aftercare planning: Successful residential treatment includes preparing for life upon leaving the clinic. This involves developing coping strategies and relapse prevention plans, as well as access to support groups. Clients are introduced to the aftercare therapy group before leaving treatment, ensuring they are confident of ongoing, continued support.
Mindfulness techniques and holistic approaches: We teach and encourage practices such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to promote relaxation and reduce stress. We incorporate holistic methods such as art therapy, music therapy, physical exercise and nutrition guidance, to address the mind-body connection and promote overall well-being.
Medical management: Medications are often essential in managing bipolar disorder. Our residential treatment centre gives you access to the best health care, including psychiatrists who can prescribe and monitor medications such as mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants to ensure they are effective and well-tolerated.
Family therapy: This means involving family members in the treatment process to improve communication and provide support. All our treatment programmes include a family support group. Any family members can attend, weekly online, from the moment their loved one enters the treatment clinic.
There are several types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar 1, a serious mental health condition that involves at least one period of mania – which can include psychosis and may require hospitalisation. The manic period can either come before, or follow on from a depressive or hypomanic episode, but not always.
Bipolar 2, this is still a serious psychological condition which generally includes at least one episode of depression and one of hypomania. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania not usually requiring hospitalisation.
Cyclothymia, when there have been episodes of both hypomania and depression, but not as severe as Bipolar 1 or 2, though this can develop into 1 or 2 if not treated.
Rapid cycling bipolar, and bipolar with mixed features or seasonal pattern bipolar, these describe some of the different ways that bipolar 1 and 2 can affect an individual, rather than separate conditions.
There is also substance-induced mood disorder, which is brought on by the physiological effects of a substance, e.g. cocaine, ecstasy, or prescribed medication.
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