If you are reading this, congratulations – you have taken the first step toward treating Bipolar Disorder. Maybe you already sent us an inquiry, or you’re still learning more about counseling services at On Your Mind Counseling – either way, we recognize that hope is an option. Our therapy professionals know recovery may be possible with treatments for Bipolar Disorder.

You might find it difficult to seek treatment for Bipolar Disorder because of perceived social stigma. But it is not worth coping with on your own when effective therapies, including counseling, are well-researched and documented. You don’t need to manage symptoms alone without treatment. Support is critical in understanding, treating, and ultimately controlling bipolar disorder.

Your ability to overcome barriers on your path toward recovery can be an integral step toward reaching success.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

Bipolar disorder can be challenging to diagnose because it can resemble other common disorders, like anxiety, major depression, substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, conduct, and personality disorders. As a result, misdiagnoses happen frequently, with a significant lag between symptom onset and the correct diagnosis.

A critical identifying factor used to identify the disorder is mood cycling, characterized by extreme shifts between elevated and depressive moods, generally accompanied by other symptoms as well.

In fact, you only need to have one manic episode for a diagnosis. However, moodiness can occur for many reasons, especially during the teen years, hence the difficulty in diagnosing the condition quickly and correctly. When these mood shifts occur rapidly, with a minimum of four distinct episodes of mania or hypomania and depression per year, it is called rapid cycling. Daily functioning can be impaired due to intense mood swings.

Luckily, we don’t need to reach 100% certainty regarding a specific diagnosis to help you manage your moods. The earlier we can provide psychosocial and lifestyle tips and help you develop the executive functioning skills you need for a smooth functioning lifestyle, the better off you will be in managing symptoms and episodes.

Counseling May Include Family Sessions or Skills Training for Parents or Loved Ones

It may be appropriate to provide family counseling along with individual therapy. Plus, we can provide parents or loved ones with individual counseling to help develop skills that will better help your child or loved one cope with a mood disorder.

Counseling Treatment is Generally Time-Limited and Skills-Focused

We will work with you to develop a time-limited treatment plan. During that time, we will focus on education and skill-building, which can be highly effective in preventing new episodes and helping you improve the overall functioning of your life.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

Bipolar disorder can be challenging to diagnose because it can resemble other common disorders, like anxiety, major depression, substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, conduct, and personality disorders. As a result, misdiagnoses happen frequently, with a significant lag between symptom onset and the correct diagnosis.

A critical identifying factor used to identify the disorder is mood cycling, characterized by extreme shifts between elevated and depressive moods, generally accompanied by other symptoms as well.

In fact, you only need to have one manic episode for a diagnosis. However, moodiness can occur for many reasons, especially during the teen years, hence the difficulty in diagnosing the condition quickly and correctly. When these mood shifts occur rapidly, with a minimum of four distinct episodes of mania or hypomania and depression per year, it is called rapid cycling. Daily functioning can be impaired due to intense mood swings.

Luckily, we don’t need to reach 100% certainty regarding a specific diagnosis to help you manage your moods. The earlier we can provide psychosocial and lifestyle tips and help you develop the executive functioning skills you need for a smooth functioning lifestyle, the better off you will be in managing symptoms and episodes.

Counseling May Include Family Sessions or Skills Training for Parents or Loved Ones

It may be appropriate to provide family counseling along with individual therapy. Plus, we can provide parents or loved ones with individual counseling to help develop skills that will better help your child or loved one cope with a mood disorder.

Counseling Treatment is Generally Time-Limited and Skills-Focused

We will work with you to develop a time-limited treatment plan. During that time, we will focus on education and skill-building, which can be highly effective in preventing new episodes and helping you improve the overall functioning of your life.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

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There are three different diagnoses of bipolar disorder – previously referred to as manic depression: 

• Bipolar I – One of the main indicators of bipolar I is mania, which is characterized as euphoric and/or irritable moods and increased energy and activity. Individuals with Bipolar I regularly engage in risky activities when experiencing mania. You can learn more about mania below.
• Bipolar II – An individual diagnosed with bipolar II must have experienced at least one episode of current or past hypomania (a form of mania that is less severe), as well as have a history of major depression, but no history of manic episodes.
• Cyclothymic – Individuals diagnosed with cyclothymic must have at least two years of experiencing episodes that resemble hypomania and major depression but don’t technically meet the criteria for either. 

While a symptom of bipolar disorder is impulse control, impulse control disorder aligns more closely with the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD. 

Mania or Manic Episodes

As mentioned above, mania and manic episodes are components of bipolar disorder. Mania causes extreme changes in mood or emotions, energy levels, or activity levels. A manic episode is a period of time when someone experiences many symptoms of mania at the same time. 

Elevated moods and emotions are often a direct cause of impulse actions. One of the ways professionals diagnose these conditions is by evaluating individuals who pursue risky behaviors with disregard towards any adverse outcome. 

As mentioned above, there is a close link between mania and impulse control disorders; some well-known behaviors have their own named conditions. Pyromania is an impulse control disorder where people intentionally start fires without regard for the destruction or injuries their impulsions cause. Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder where people have the constant and irresistible urge to steal things. Trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder where individuals experience the compulsive urge to pull out their hair at the root, hair-by-hair.

Depression or Depressive Episodes

Over 280 million people in the world suffer from depression. Everyone experiences deep sadness and grief occasionally, but deep sadness that lasts longer than two weeks may indicate something deeper going on. Depression is diagnosed based on the appearance of depressive episodes. The American Psychiatric Association (ADA) defines a depressive episode as a period in someone’s life that lasts at least two weeks in which they exhibit symptoms of depression. 

Depression can be overwhelming for the individual with the condition and those around them, like family and friends. The many symptoms of depression can feel debilitating and make it hard to accomplish daily tasks. You can learn more about the symptoms of depression and our treatments here. 

Persistent Depressive Disorder 

Previously known as dysthymic disorder or dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder includes a lower-grade form of depression, such as chronic depression. Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder can come and go over a period of time, however, the depressive state rarely disappears for more than two months at a time. 

Mild, chronic depression has fewer symptoms and is less severe than major depression. Chronic depression can cause symptoms to linger for two years or longer. Those who experience chronic depression can also suffer from periods of major depression. 

Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are similar to that of depression. 

• Sadness, emptiness, feeling down
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Low self-esteem and self-criticism
• Quickly becoming annoyed, impatient, or angry

While persistent depressive disorder may not seem as severe as depression itself, it can be debilitating. Feeling stuck and unlike yourself can take a real toll on someone. 

The individual with a Bipolar Disorder will find themself cycling between these extremes of mood – from mania to depression and back.

There are three different diagnoses of bipolar disorder – previously referred to as manic depression: 

• Bipolar I – One of the main indicators of bipolar I is mania, which is characterized as euphoric and/or irritable moods and increased energy and activity. Individuals with Bipolar I regularly engage in risky activities when experiencing mania. You can learn more about mania below.
• Bipolar II – An individual diagnosed with bipolar II must have experienced at least one episode of current or past hypomania (behaviors that don’t quite meet the criteria for mania), as well as have a history of major depression, but no history of manic episodes.
• Cyclothymic – Individuals diagnosed with cyclothymic must have at least two years of experiencing episodes that resemble hypomania and major depression but don’t technically meet the criteria for either. 

While a symptom of bipolar disorder is impulse control, impulse control disorder aligns more closely with the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD. 

Mania or Manic Episodes

As mentioned above, mania and manic episodes are components of bipolar disorder. Mania causes extreme changes in mood or emotions, energy levels, or activity levels. A manic episode is a period of time when someone experiences many symptoms of mania at the same time. 

Elevated moods and emotions are often a direct cause of impulse actions. One of the ways professionals diagnose these conditions is by evaluating individuals who pursue risky behaviors with disregard towards any adverse outcome. 

As mentioned above, there is a close link between mania and impulse control disorders; some well-known behaviors have their own named conditions. Pyromania is an impulse control disorder where people intentionally start fires without regard for the destruction or injuries their impulsions cause. Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder where people have the constant and irresistible urge to steal things. Trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder where individuals experience the compulsive urge to pull out their hair at the root, hair-by-hair.

Depression or Depressive Episodes

Over 280 million people in the world suffer from depression. Everyone experiences deep sadness and grief occasionally, but deep sadness that lasts longer than two weeks may indicate something deeper going on. Depression is diagnosed based on the appearance of depressive episodes. The American Psychiatric Association (ADA) defines a depressive episode as a period in someone’s life that lasts at least two weeks in which they exhibit symptoms of depression. 

Depression can be overwhelming for the individual with the condition and those around them, like family and friends. The many symptoms of depression can feel debilitating and make it hard to accomplish daily tasks. You can learn more about the symptoms of depression and our treatments here. 

Persistent Depressive Disorder 

Previously known as dysthymic disorder or dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder includes a lower-grade form of depression, such as chronic depression. Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder can come and go over a period of time, however, the depressive state rarely disappears for more than two months at a time. 

Mild, chronic depression has fewer symptoms and is less severe than major depression. Chronic depression can cause symptoms to linger for two years or longer. Those who experience chronic depression can also suffer from periods of major depression. 

Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are similar to that of depression. 

• Sadness, emptiness, feeling down
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Low self-esteem and self-criticism
• Quickly becoming annoyed, impatient, or angry

While persistent depressive disorder may not seem as severe as depression itself, it can be debilitating. Feeling stuck and unlike yourself can take a real toll on someone. 

The individual with a Bipolar Disorder will find themself cycling between these extremes of mood – from mania to depression and back.