The length of bipolar disorder therapy sessions will vary from one person to the next, dependent on their specific needs. However, short-term, problem-focused therapy for bipolar disorder typically lasts for 12-16 weeks. Therapy may last longer for those who have more severe or persistent symptoms.
Bipolar Depression Therapy—Counselors in Chesterfield, VA
The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Chesterfield offer counseling for bipolar depression, and we have worked with many clients, helping them find the emotional, psychological, physical, and social support they need.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Sometimes, bipolar disorder is called manic depression because those are the two phases of the illness: mania and depression. This mental illness swings people’s moods between these two extremes. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) details each phase.
Mania is sometimes stereotyped as constant happiness and energy. Some people do experience this, but others experience mania’s heightened mood as anger or irritation. The DSM-5 describes mania as follows:
- Mania lasts for a minimum of one week, during which individuals experience a frenetic state of mind that is either euphoric or irritable.
- If the mood is euphoric, then at least three of the following must be present. If the mood is irritable, then four will be present:
- Thoughts and emotions that will not slow.
- Requires little rest to maintain high energy throughout the day and night.
- Difficulty with holding attention and focus.
- Increasing loquaciousness, particularly compared to an individual’s normal talking habits.
- Planning excessively and obsessively for a personal or professional goal.
- A grandiose self-image and exaggerated self-esteem.
- Risky and harmful behavior in one’s professional, personal, financial, and/or sexual life.
- A drug or medication regimen cannot be the cause of this behavior for the mania.
- The result of this manic behavior will include one of the following:
- Hospitalization to prevent or treat harm caused.
- An inability to function in normal, daily life.
- Psychosis or delusions.
As if handling mania were not sufficiently difficult, bipolar disorder swings individuals from mania to depression. The DSM-5 describes the depression cycle of Bipolar as a sad, weepy, and/or empty mood that lasts for the majority of the day for a continuous two weeks. In addition, people will experience apathy toward daily activities and three of the following symptoms:
- Obsessive thinking about suicide or death.
- Disruptions in sleep patterns—either an inability to sleep or the desire to sleep all the time.
- Lagging energy and endurance.
- Fluctuations in one’s weight and/or appetite—possibly eating all the time or complete disinterest in food.
- Indecisiveness and lack of focus.
- Intense and even irrational negative feelings such as shame, worthlessness, and guilt.
- An increase or decrease in psychomotor activity such as slowed speaking or a rapid toe tapping.
Bipolar disorder has several subcategories that can provide a more accurate diagnosis. For example, people with Bipolar II experience hypomania, a lessened form of mania, but they often go through more intense depression cycles.
Working with a mental health provider is of utmost importance in diagnosing and forming a treatment plan for any form of Bipolar.
Therapy for Bipolar Disorder with Thriveworks Chesterfield
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Bipolar, you are not alone. If you suspect you may have a form of Bipolar, help is available. Thriveworks Chesterfield has therapists who have extensive experience working with clients who are facing this illness.
When you contact our office, we have done our best to make scheduling therapy as easy as possible. We offer evening and weekend appointments. New clients often have their first appointment within a week of calling.
Let’s work together. Contact Thriveworks today by giving us a call or scheduling a session online.
