It can be challenging for many individuals with bipolar disorder to embrace mental health treatment. Depending on the severity of one’s condition, the path to recovery can be an even bumpier road. Although this may be true for some individuals, once treatment has been completed, ongoing effort is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. Attending outpatient therapy at Renaissance Ranch can help one stay on track to mental stability while in recovery.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an individual who is facing challenges with abnormal shifts in their mood, activity levels, concentration, and overall energy may have bipolar disorder. This is a mental health condition that typically makes it very difficult for one to complete day-to-day tasks. Three different types of bipolar disorder may present with unique symptoms.
An individual with any type of bipolar disorder may experience moods that may range from being extremely elated or irritable (manic), to feeling very low, indifferent, or downright hopeless (depressive). One with hypomanic episodes may experience far less severe periods. The 3 different types of bipolar disorder include:
- Bipolar I disorder – Defined by having manic episodes for about 7 days with severe symptoms. Depressive episodes may last for about two weeks or so. Having mixed features of both is also possible. An individual may experience rapid cycling (4 or more episodes in a year).
- Bipolar II disorder – A less severe case of BD that can be defined by having a pattern of hypomanic and depressive episodes.
- Cyclothymic disorder – Defined by having recurrent episodes of hypomania and depression. These symptoms may not be as intense or last long enough to qualify.
The Challenges One With Bipolar Disorder May Experience Without Attending Outpatient Therapy
If an individual refuses to surrender to aftercare services, they may experience persistent symptoms and a poor quality of life. Having continuous difficulty managing bipolar disorder can negatively interfere with one’s ability to function in every aspect of their life. The effects of their condition may be tough to manage without ongoing support. Thus, many individuals choose to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol to suppress their emotions. This can lead to co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) that can ultimately worsen one’s mental health. Prolonged bipolar disorder and SUD can significantly interfere with one’s:
- Marriage
- Academic progress
- Financial state
- Work performance
- Ability to maintain healthy relationships with family and friends
Different Strategies That Can Help One Maintain Ongoing Mental Stability
Although living with bipolar disorder can be very challenging, it can be helpful for one to follow a few different coping strategies. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the individual experiencing problems with bipolar disorder may not be the only one affected by their condition. Family and friends may be negatively impacted by their loved ones’ mental health disorders.
Knowing this, support from family members can provide the comfort and guidance needed to push forward together. Family members can provide great support by understanding their loved one’s condition. It can be helpful for families to continue to work on managing their loved one’s condition and provide helpful strategies to help one maintain ongoing mental stability. Family members can provide light encouragement for a loved one to:
- Seek outpatient treatment and stay on track to recovery
- Continue to take prescription medications as directed
- Keep a structured routine
- Stay active on a daily basis
- Log new symptoms to learn to recognize the warning signs of their condition
- Stay patient
The Importance of Attending Outpatient Therapy?
Even though family support can make a world of difference, attending outpatient therapy in recovery is just as important. Although one may have learned the right strategies to effectively cope with their condition, it can be hard for one to maintain certain strategies without proper support. Life is changing every day, therefore old strategies may not work as well as they used to.
An individual may gain new coping skills and tools in outpatient therapy to get back on track to a healthy recovery. Outpatient therapy may also promote long-term success and relapse prevention for a better quality of life. Different types of outpatient therapy options may be based on the severity of one’s condition. Renaissance Ranch’s outpatient therapy options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
- Psycho-educational therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Group psychotherapy
The Benefits That May Come from Attending Outpatient Therapy at Renaissance Ranch
Although family support is helpful an individual facing challenges with bipolar disorder in recovery may feel fine for a couple of weeks and then dive back into a depressive state which can derail one’s progress. They may also experience extreme happiness that can often lead to impulsive behaviors such as engaging in excessive spending, binge eating, promiscuity, or simply making decisions without thinking them through. It can be hard for loved ones to understand the effects of their condition putting a strain on relationships.
Many individuals who lack emotional support from loved ones often struggle to manage their condition alone. Knowing bipolar disorder can cause extreme shifts in one’s mood, it is essential for one to explore aftercare services to ensure ongoing mental stability for a balanced lifestyle. Benefits of attending outpatient therapy at Renaissance Ranch include:
- Holistic approach to treatment
- Cost-effective
- Flexibility for convenience
- Individualized treatment
- Continuity of care
Here at Renaissance Ranch, we understand that bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental illness that requires ongoing care and management. Outpatient treatment is not residential and offers more independence than inpatient treatment. You will live independently but participate regularly in therapies to help you overcome your addiction. The time commitment commonly ranges from five to six hours per day to two to three hours per day. It usually includes a mix of group therapy, individual therapy, and medical treatment appointments. Renaissance Ranch Refuge in Southern Idaho is a leader in outpatient recovery programs for women. Call us at (801) 308-8898 to see which outpatient therapy option is right for you.