Bipolar Disorder Treatment

The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on the type of bipolar disorder a person is suffering from and whether they are experiencing a manic, hypomanic, or depressive episode.

During a manic or hypomanic episode, a person may experience:

• An unusually elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
• Increased energy or goal-directed activity
• A decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
• More talkativeness than usual and rapid speech
• Racing thoughts or quickly shifting ideas
• Inflated self-esteem or an exaggerated sense of ability
• Difficulty staying focused
• Involvement in activities that carry a high potential for harmful consequences, such as excessive spending or making risky decisions

During a depressive episode, a person may experience:

• A persistently sad, empty, or hopeless mood
• A loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
• Noticeable changes in appetite or weight
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Fatigue or a loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they may change over time. When the symptoms of bipolar disorder begin to interfere with daily responsibilities or a person’s safety, professional treatment can make a meaningful difference.

When someone who has bipolar disorder does not get treatment, their symptoms often become more frequent and more severe over time. Mood episodes may last longer and occur closer together, which makes the condition harder to manage.

If they don’t receive treatment, a person who has bipolar disorder may experience:

• Strained relationships with family members and friends
• Difficulty maintaining employment
• Financial problems that result from reckless decisions made during manic episodes
• Onset of addiction from misusing substances as a way to unknowingly cope with their symptoms
• Decline in physical health

Perhaps most significantly, untreated bipolar disorder can lead to an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors during depressive episodes. This is one of the biggest reasons why receiving timely, professional care is so important. Seeking care at a qualified bipolar disorder treatment center can break the pattern and provide the support needed to regain stability.

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger or is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call 911 or reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for free, confidential help 24/7. You can also go to your nearest emergency room or come directly to our hospital at 150 Moon Bay Parkway in St. Augustine.

Coastal Pines Behavioral Health is a 144-bed behavioral health hospital that provides inpatient bipolar disorder treatment. Inpatient treatment is the most intensive level of care, designed for people who are experiencing acute symptoms and can benefit from round-the-clock support. The typical length of stay at our inpatient bipolar disorder treatment center is seven to 10 days, as our goal is to help patients stabilize before transitioning to a lower level of care.

Bipolar disorder treatment at our St. Augustine, Florida, hospital is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who craft an individualized treatment plan for each person. These bipolar disorder treatment plans will vary based on a patient’s needs but may include:

• Medication management services: Patients have the opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist six days of the week to receive medication management services, and nursing staff is available 24/7 to help administer and monitor the effects of medications.
• Basic medical care: We are not equipped to treat complex medical conditions, but we do have physicians and nurses on staff who can provide basic physical medical care if the need arises.
• Family therapy: Bipolar disorder does not just impact the individual who is suffering from it. It impacts their loved ones as well. For this reason, when it is clinically appropriate, patients and their loved ones can meet with a master’s-level clinician for family therapy sessions. These sessions give family members a chance to learn about bipolar disorder and find ways to support the patient during their healing process.
• Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are the central component of care at our bipolar disorder treatment center, with multiple sessions taking place each day. During group therapy, individuals discuss a variety of topics, such as the effects of trauma, healthy boundaries, self-esteem, and coping skills.

The treatment we provide draws on the use of research-backed therapies and interventions, including:

• Motivational interviewing
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• 12-Step facilitation (for patients who have co-occurring addictions)

Inpatient treatment offers a level of support that is difficult to get in other settings. When a person is experiencing a manic or depressive episode, the round-the-clock care offered at a mental health treatment center like Coastal Pines Behavioral Health can help ensure their safety.

Inpatient bipolar disorder treatment offers several distinct benefits:

• Ongoing access to a psychiatrist allows the treatment team to adjust medications quickly when needed and observe how patients respond to any medications they are taking. This is especially valuable during the stabilization phase of care.
• By stepping away from outside stressors and daily obligations, patients can fully focus on healing.
• Consistent therapeutic support throughout the day can help people gain a better understanding of bipolar disorder, develop coping skills, learn how to manage their symptoms, and prepare for life after they leave the hospital.

For someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide or engaging in self-harming behaviors, inpatient bipolar disorder treatment provides immediate safety. By stabilizing symptoms first, patients are better positioned to continue their progress through other levels of care and maintain long-term stability.

If you or a loved one is suffering from bipolar disorder, the compassionate team at Coastal Pines Behavioral Health is ready to help. We serve people across northeast Florida and southern Georgia, and we are here to explain what treatment looks like, answer any questions you may have, and help you make the best decision for yourself or a loved one. Contact us today.