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It is unknown exactly what causes bipolar, but it has been linked to certain factors such as stress, genetics and life-changing events. Call our enquiries team for a confidential chat about private treatment for Bipolar Disorder. 020 3941 2000

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a type of mental illness which can cause a person to experience extremely low periods of depression followed by feelings of soaring elation. This elevated mood is often known as mania or hypomania depending on its severity. The condition used to be known as manic depression but was renamed as bipolar disorder, a relatively common condition that is estimated to affect around one in every hundred adults within their lifetime. 

What are the signs and symptoms of Bipolar?

The signs and symptoms of bipolar will differ greatly depending on the mood of the client. Because of the extreme changes between stages of the disorder, those suffering from bipolar may find it difficult to hold down a job or meaningful relationships. For those in the depressive stage, the following symptoms may be present:

  • feeling guilty, worthless and useless
  • lethargy and not wanting to get out of bed
  • difficulty in decision making and concentration
  • struggling with day to day tasks and work
  • inability to maintain relationships with others
  • changes in appetite
  • overwhelming and long-lasting feelings of sadness and anxiety
  • suicidal thoughts

When a person experiences the other side of bipolar – the mania/hypomania phase, they may experience the following symptoms, some of which can be pleasant but are often extremely overwhelming and difficult to control:

  • feeling extremely creative and full of ambition
  • thinking and speaking very fast
  • positive feelings of elation
  • excessive spending sprees
  • feeling irritable
  • feelings of invincibility and unrealistic ideas about abilities and powers
  • provocative behaviour and aggression against others

Within both depressive and manic stages of the illness, there may be psychotic symptoms present which can include hallucinations, delusions of thought and inability to communicate effectively due to the speed of speech and racing thoughts.

What are the causes of Bipolar?

It is unknown exactly what causes bipolar, but it has been linked to certain factors such as stress, genetics and life-changing events which can all increase the chance of developing the condition. Extreme trauma in childhood (including abuse, neglect, the death of a family member) has been prevalent in many bipolar sufferers, due to the difficulty in regulating emotions after experiencing high levels of stress early in life.

Other causes can be attributed to difficult times in adult life such as a relationship breakdown or loss of someone close, which can trigger the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The genetic link between those with bipolar has been researched heavily, and it seems that a person is more likely to experience depressive and manic symptoms if a member of their family also suffers from the illness. However, this often isn’t formally diagnosed, and could be reflective of the environment that a person grows up in and the behaviour their family members display.

Make an enquiry Or call us on 020 3941 2000

What types of Bipolar are there?

There are different types and levels of bipolar disorder, the below being the most commonly diagnosed.

Bipolar I

Clients may be diagnosed with Bipolar I if they have experienced at least one episode of mania which has lasted longer than a week. Some people might also experience depressive episodes – although this is not applicable to everyone.

Bipolar II

Bipolar II clients will have experienced at least one bout of extreme depression and symptoms of hypomania.

Rapid Cycling

People experiencing rapid cycling will find their moods swing faster between depressive and manic and more than four mood swings will occur within a year.

Cyclothymia

A person may be told they have cyclothymia if they have had both depressive and hypomanic moods over the course of 2 years or beyond. These symptoms will not be extreme enough to diagnose Bipolar I or II, but it is important to recognise, that left untreated, cyclothymia can develop into a more severe form of bipolar personality disorder.

Private Bipolar Treatment

If you are suffering from Bipolar Disorder, contact Claimont today to see how our Private Bipolar Treatment Plans can help you reduce current and future symptoms. Our team of experts are on hand to provide a fully tailored support plan in the comfort of your own home.

  • How is bipolar diagnosed?

    If your GP thinks you could be suffering from bipolar disorder, they will refer you to a psychiatrist that specialises in mental health conditions. There is no single test that can discover whether someone is suffering from bipolar disorder. Generally, it takes a combination of methods to diagnose during a special assessment.

  • How is bipolar treated?

    Most people that suffer from bipolar disorder can be treated using a combination of different treatments. Bipolar treatments include recognising triggers, lifestyle advice, medicine and psychological treatment – such as talking therapies and counselling which help deal with depressive episodes through specialist treatment and advice.

  • How can you stop bipolar disorder?

    If left untreated, bipolar related mania can last between three to six months. In severe cases, this can be even longer. If you feel you are potentially suffering from bipolar disorder, or have recently been diagnosed and need help, contact Claimont today to see how our combination of in home bipolar disorder treatment services can help you or your loved one on the road to recovery.

Make an Enquiry

Whether the enquiry is for yourself or a loved one, the first step is to talk to a member of our team.

At Claimont we take your privacy very seriously and we use the utmost discretion when contacting you. Everything that we talk about is kept in the strictest confidence and will not be shared by Claimont to anyone outside the organisation without obtaining your consent first.

Call: 020 3941 2000

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