Welcome to my site about tactics you can use to cope with hospitalization. I am Edward Collins. I created this site after a long hospitalization left me feeling uncomfortable and dying to go home. I was ill-prepared for the lengthy stay at that facility. Despite my nurses and doctors’ best efforts, I felt lonely, bored and somewhat isolated during my stay. On this site, I will help you prepare for hospitalization well before you need your next medical procedure. Please come by my site daily to learn the information you need to know. Thank you for visiting my website about preparing for hospitalization.
Bipolar disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses human beings can have — yet, it's still widely misunderstood. While it affects an estimated 5.7 million people over the age of 18 in this country alone, many people still don't know what to do next after they've been told they have the disorder.
If you've recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and need more information about what your condition means and where to turn, here's what you should know:
There are several types of bipolar disorder
Bipolar individuals are generally classified as either bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymic. Those people who suffer from bipolar I are usually the most severely affected and what many others think of as "classic" bipolar. They experience extreme highs and lows, known alternately as manic and depressive episodes. They may even hallucinate, become psychotic, and lose touch with reality. Those with bipolar II disorder may only experience occasional mild highs but they usually suffer from long periods of serious depression. Typically, they don't experience delusions or hallucinations.
People who have cyclothymia often have a difficult time getting a diagnosis because while they may experience both manic periods and depressive periods, they often have a mixture of symptoms that are unclear. Some may even cycle rapidly between highs and lows without a discernible break in between.
What are your options for treatment with bipolar disorder?
Generally speaking, the kind of treatment you need first depends a lot on where you are at, emotionally, at the time of your initial diagnosis. If you are having suicidal thoughts, participating in self-harming actions, feel like you are losing your touch with reality, or are in a downward spiral, it's probably a good time to seek emergency care at a hospital. If you've been self-medicating with drugs or alcohol in an attempt to alleviate the emotional symptoms of your disorder (particularly the depression), it may be necessary to go to rehab before you consider other kinds of treatment.
Ultimately, treatment for your disorder is a lifelong commitment. Bipolar disorder is a symptom of brain chemistry that is simply out of balance. It cannot be "fixed" by force of will, herbal remedies, exercise, or diet. Your condition can't be cured — but it can be effectively managed with a combination of medications and therapy.
A bipolar disorder therapist can help you make sure that you have the correct diagnosis so that you receive the right treatment for your type of bipolar disorder. Then, you and your therapist can plan a course of action together that will help you get your life back on track.
Share20 April 2019