Introduction
Bipolar disorder is a chronic and serious mood disorder that usually appears in the late teens or early adulthood.
Typically, people with bipolar disorder experience periods of extreme happiness or high energy and activity. These are known as manic episodes. Before or after a manic episode, a person with bipolar disorder may experience periods of intense sadness and depression. These periods are known as depressive episodes.
You can be rest assured that at Skooc, you and your family are in good hands.
Symptoms
Episodes of mania or depression may happen irregularly and follow an unpredictable pattern, or they may be linked with a manic episode always following a period of depression, or vice versa.
Keep a look out for some of the following signs of mania:
racing speech and thoughts
increased energy
decreased need for sleep
elevated mood and exaggerated optimism
increased physical and mental activity
excessive irritability, aggressive behaviour, and impatience
poor judgment
reckless behaviour, like excessive spending, making rash decisions, and erratic driving
difficulty concentrating
inflated sense of self-importance
Keep a look out for some of the following signs of depression:
loss of interest in usual activities
prolonged sad or irritable mood
loss of energy or fatigue
feelings of guilt or worthlessness
sleeping too much or inability to sleep
drop in grades and inability to concentrate
inability to experience pleasure
appetite loss or overeating
anger, worry, and anxiety
thoughts of death or suicide
If you notice recurring instances of a few of these symptoms, we at Skooc recommend a formal evaluation.
Diagnosis
At Skooc, we help you better understand what you are going through. While there is no medical test for bipolar disorder, experts have determined how to diagnose bipolar disorder in young adults. Consequently, a medical or mental health professional will take the following steps when assessing a young adult for bipolar:
Physical exam: A thorough physical will help a doctor isolate any medical issues that may be contributing to depressive or manic symptoms, such as thyroid problems.
Lab tests: If a physical indicate any medical problems, a doctor may order lab tests to confirm or rule out contributing issues.
Interview: A physician or psychiatrist will talk with you about your mood swings, lifestyle habits, and behaviours. This will help identify the likelihood of a bipolar diagnosis, as well as any co-occurring disorders. Anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders are common conditions that can occur with bipolar in young adults.
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Next Steps and Intervention
Our team of professional psychologists at Skooc can help you by providing the necessary interventions. Talking with a therapist can help them manage their symptoms, express their feelings, and have better relationships with loved ones. There are a number of different types of therapy treatments:
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you work out the stress associated with bipolar disorder. It can also help them identify issues they can address during sessions. Those with bipolar disorder can have individual sessions or go to group therapy sessions.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy can help you learn problem-solving skills and ways to turn negative thoughts and behaviours into positive ones.
Interpersonal therapy is also known as interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. It focuses on minimizing family disputes and disruptions in daily routines or social rhythms that might trigger new episodes.
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Skooc has helped my daughter get into a great shape physically and mentally. She has lost more than 15 kgs and has improved her health metrics enough that she is no longer at risk of chronic diseases. The program worked with my daughter and me to help us understand how to correct what we were doing. Very importantly, Avi and I no longer fight over what she eats and what she does not.
My son has lost 15 kgs and I lost 10 kgs through the Skooc program. It was easily paced and did not ever restrict my child from eating anything that was essential. He had a balanced meal everyday and he and his counsellor agreed on a schedule that was easy for me to cook too. From a child who watched TV all the time and ate junk food, Ayaan is now an active child and a healthy eater who is very happy and confident with how he looks.
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