Bipolar disorder is a serious, chronic psychiatric condition characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy and activity levels that go beyond the ordinary emotional highs and lows everyone experiences. These mood episodes can greatly disrupt a person’s ability to think clearly, maintain relationships, fulfill responsibilities and care for themselves.
The team at Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital in Apopka, Florida, understands the complexities of bipolar disorder and offers targeted inpatient treatment to help people stabilize, learn how to manage their symptoms and ultimately discover lasting healing.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, text revision (DSM-5-TR) identifies several distinct bipolar and related disorder diagnoses. The most common ones are bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder.
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I disorder is defined by the occurrence of at least one manic episode. A manic episode happens when a person experiences abnormally and chronically elevated, expansive or irritable mood and increased activity or energy that lasts at least one week and is present most of the day, nearly every day. The episode must be severe enough to cause impairment in social or occupational functioning, to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to the individual or others, or to include psychotic features. Depressive episodes also frequently occur in people who have bipolar I disorder. These episodes often last for a prolonged period of time and can be debilitating.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by a pattern of hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes, without the full manic episodes people who have bipolar I disorder experience. A hypomanic episode meets many of the same symptom criteria as a manic episode, but it is less severe. These episodes do not cause the marked functional impairment associated with full mania, do not typically require hospitalization and are not usually accompanied by psychotic features.
Bipolar II disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder because patients most often seek care during depressive episodes, and the hypomanic phases are not always recognizable. It is extremely important that a person receives a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether they are suffering from bipolar II disorder or major depressive disorder because getting treatment based on an incorrect diagnosis can cause bipolar II disorder symptoms to worsen.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, is characterized by a chronic pattern of mood fluctuation that involves numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for either a hypomanic episode or a major depressive episode. These mood changes need to last for at least two years in adults. During that time, symptoms are present more often than not, and any breaks from symptoms don’t last longer than a couple of months.
Even though each individual episode may seem mild, the ongoing pattern of ups and downs can still have a significant impact on a person’s life over time.
Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Because bipolar disorder involves the distinct phases of manic or hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes, as well as the fact that some people may be stable between episodes, the signs and symptoms of the disorder will vary greatly depending on which phase a person is in.
Possible signs and symptoms of mania and hypomania include the following:
- Inflated self-esteem or feelings of grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep
- Rapid speech
- Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
- Distractibility
- Restlessness
- Engaging in risky behavior
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
While the signs and symptoms of hypomania often mirror those of mania, it is important to note that they are less severe and typically less noticeable to others. A person who is having a hypomanic episode also usually does not experience the same level of impairment as a person who is having a manic episode does.
Possible signs and symptoms of depressive episodes include the following:
- Persistent low mood
- Loss of interest in things the person once enjoyed
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in eating patterns
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
People who have bipolar disorder can also experience mixed features, which means that they suffer from symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time. For example, a person may be having a depression episode, but they experience some of the symptoms of mania.
Effects of Untreated Bipolar Disorder
When someone has bipolar disorder and does not receive treatment, they are at risk for experiencing many negative effects. The effects of bipolar disorder can vary depending on several factors, including which type of bipolar disorder a person is suffering from.
In general, common effects of bipolar disorder include:
- Problems forming and maintaining friendships
- Strained relationships with family members
- Setbacks at work or in school
- Inability to find and keep a job
- Injuries or diseases related to reckless behaviors
- Financial difficulties
- Onset or worsening of other mental health disorders
- Substance use and addiction
- Social isolation
- Suicidal thoughts and actions
The good news is that these effects can be minimized or prevented by receiving comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment at Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital in Apopka, Florida.
Benefits of Bipolar Disorder Treatment
There are a number of benefits of receiving professional care at a bipolar disorder treatment center. One of the most important is learning that you are not alone in the struggles you’re facing.
Bipolar disorder can leave you feeling extremely isolated, but when you receive care at our bipolar disorder treatment center in Apopka, Florida, you will have the opportunity to work with experts who understand what you’re struggling with. They use that knowledge to provide the elements of care that can put you in the best position to succeed. You will also have a chance to learn from other patients who are struggling with bipolar disorder, and you can share the progress you make and the successes you have on the road to healing.
By working together with both staff and other patients, you can address the pain of your past and develop skills to help you manage your symptoms and regain control of your emotional, social and physical well-being.
Additional benefits of receiving bipolar disorder treatment may include:
- You can experience a stabilization of acute episodes.
- You can receive medication evaluation in a monitored setting.
- You can experience a reduction in the frequency and severity of episodes.
- You can gain an education about bipolar disorder and ways to manage symptoms.
- You can regain healthy functioning.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment at Our Apopka Hospital
When someone who has bipolar disorder reaches a point where their symptoms are severe, rapidly escalating or no longer manageable in an outpatient setting, Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital in Apopka, Florida, is here to help. Our inpatient program provides the structure, stability and round-the-clock clinical support individuals who are living with bipolar disorder need during their most difficult moments.
Programming at our inpatient bipolar disorder treatment center is designed for individuals whose symptoms require close monitoring and immediate clinical intervention. Every patient who comes through our doors is supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team that builds a personalized plan of care around their specific needs. While each person’s journey is different, care at our Apopka bipolar disorder treatment center may include:
- Medication management services: Finding and maintaining the right medication regimen can be essential to successfully treating someone who has bipolar disorder. Our psychiatrists work closely with each patient to evaluate, prescribe or adjust medications, while our nursing staff monitors responses to medication to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Individual therapy: Every patient receives an individual therapy session as part of their evaluation, and additional sessions are available as clinically appropriate or at the patient’s request. These one-on-one sessions offer a private, focused space to help the patient process what they are experiencing and work toward their personal treatment goals.
- Family therapy: Family therapy sessions are available for patients on an as-needed or as-requested basis. These sessions can help family members learn about bipolar disorder and discover ways they can best support their loved one.
- Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are a central part of inpatient bipolar disorder treatment at our Apopka hospital. They are held multiple times throughout the day and led by trained clinicians and support staff. Topics discussed in group sessions may include mood regulation, healthy boundaries, coping strategies, self-worth, stress management and psychoeducation about bipolar disorder.
At Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital, every aspect of bipolar disorder treatment is delivered with genuine compassion, clinical expertise and deep respect for each individual. Our goal is simple. We want to help every patient leave our treatment center feeling more stable, more informed and better equipped for the road ahead.
Why Choose Our Apopka Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center
Our bipolar disorder treatment center was designed to feel warm and restorative. Natural light, calming color palettes, open common areas and secure outdoor spaces all contribute to an environment where patients can feel at ease. Patient rooms balance comfort with safety, offering a personal retreat for rest and healing. In every interaction, our staff approaches each patient with attentiveness, respect and a genuine commitment to their well-being.
Bipolar disorder is complex, and the care we provide reflects that. Patients in our inpatient program participate in evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which have proved to promote mood stabilization and long-term resilience. These therapeutic approaches are woven into the structured daily program patients take part in while receiving care at our Apopka bipolar disorder treatment center.
If you or someone you love is struggling with bipolar disorder, contact us today. Our admissions team is available round-the-clock, and walk-ins are always welcome.
You don’t have to navigate bipolar disorder alone. Help is here whenever you are ready.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital.