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.
Counselors Who Treat Bipolar Depression in Newport News, VA—Therapists
The therapists and psychologists at Thriveworks Newport News have helped many people overcome their bipolar depression. We work closely with our clients to find a treatment plan that is tailored to their needs, their particular diagnosis, and their future goals.
Diagnosing Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression is a serious mental illness wherein people experience cycles of depression and cycles of mania. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the definition of each cycle. Individuals must experience both in order to be diagnosed as Bipolar.
During a depressed cycle, people will experience an empty, weepy, or sad mood that persists for at least two weeks. It will be accompanied by indifference toward daily activities and at least three of these symptoms:
- Changes in psychomotor activity (i.e., an increase or decrease in speech or other motion).
- Weight gain or loss with accompanied shift in appetite.
- Overwhelmingly negative feelings such as shame, guilt, or worthlessness.
- Indecisiveness and lack of concentration.
- Unfocused concentration and indecisiveness.
- Inundating thoughts about suicide and/or death.
- Disturbed sleeping patterns—either an increase or decrease.
- Lagging stamina and/or energy.
As if this depression cycle were not enough to handle, Bipolar depression has another cycle—mania. The DSM-5 also outlines what mania may look like in an individual’s life. The stereotype is raving happiness, but true mania can also frenetic irritation. The full diagnostics follow:
- A heightened mood that could be either irritable or euphoric. In either case, the mood must persist for a minimum of one week to be true mania.
- If the mood if irritable, then four of the signs that follow should be present. If the mood is euphoric, then three signs should present:
- An inability to focus.
- Small amounts of rest but high amount of energy.
- Emotion and thoughts that continually race.
- Increasing verbosity.
- Planning obsessively for a personal or professional goal.
- Exaggerated self-esteem and self-conception.
- Engaging in unnecessary and potentially harmful behavior.
- These symptoms must also result in one or more of the following:
- Disrupting an individual’s ability to function on a daily basis.
- A hospitalization to prevent or treat caused harm.
- Experiencing hallucinations, psychosis, or delusions.
- Finally, the signs cannot be the effect of a medication or other drug use.
Far from a singular illness, bipolar depression has various subcategories of diagnosis. One common subcategory of Bipolar disorder is bipolar II where may experience severe depression cycles, but their mania cycle is usually a less severe hypomania. This is just one example of many.
Just as people who have been diagnosed with a severe physical illness must work closely with their doctors for treatment, a key to living with bipolar is working closely with a mental health professional. A skilled and experienced therapist can help clients find their right diagnosis and their right treatment plan.
Appointments for Bipolar at Thriveworks Newport News
If you have been diagnosed with Bipolar or if you have experienced some of the shifts in mood described in this article, know that Thriveworks Newport News has skilled and experienced therapists and psychologists who have helped many clients live happy, fulfilling lives despite their Bipolar diagnosis.
When you contact our office, know that you may have your first appointment within 24 hours. We also accept most insurance plans.
Let’s get started. Contact Thriveworks Newport News today by giving us a call or scheduling online today to begin.
