TriBeCa Therapy is located in Downtown Manhattan, NYC and provides individual psychotherapy and group therapy for adults, children, teens and couples who are looking for creative help in living and building their lives.

Bi-Polar Disorder: What is it?

Bi-polar disorder (sometimes still referred to as manic-depressive disorder) is a mood disorder characterized by dramatic variations in mood ranging from depressed to manic.

These variations can vary in frequency and intensity, just as the intensity of the moods themselves can vary.

At one “pole” is moderate to severe depression (which looks like Dysthymia or Major Depression). At the other “pole” is mania ranging from moderate (hypomania) to severe (hyper-mania).

For those who haven’t experienced intense, prolonged or uncontrollable mania, it can be tricky to understand. Those who experience it describe it as an uncomfortable (though sometimes simultaneously enjoyable) euphoria that is both more intense and more prolonged than a typical “good mood.” Mania occasionally presents as extreme irritability. Sometimes mania is a period of hyper-productivity or increased socializing. It may start out as fun, and a welcome change from the mundane or a prior depressed mood, but because of difficulties in moderating mood and the shear intensity of it, it can tend to get out of control, including for example:

• Impulsivity in decision making (spending far beyond what one can afford, suddenly deciding to travel to an exotic or novel location without plans or resources and support upon arrival)
• Risky sexual choices
• An absence of sleep for many days at a time

In extreme (though sadly not rare) cases, intense mania can trigger psychosis, or a break from reality that may include hallucinations, highly confused thinking and paranoia. In these cases, psychiatric hospitalization and intensive medication are nearly always required for a short period of time.

There are two primary subtypes of bi-polar disorder. Bi-polar I, where mania is the more dominant characteristic, and bi-polar II, where depression or dysthymia dominates, but manic and hypo-manic episodes do occur.

How psychotherapy can help.

While there are a number of psychiatric medications that treat symptoms of bi-polar disorder, there is no cure, and living with bi-polar disorder is a serious responsibility.

Taking care of yourself

Minimizing dangerous shifts in mood necessitates taking very good care of yourself, and in particular attending to schedules and patterns. Going to bed and waking up at a regular time, getting plenty of sleep, eating and consistent hours, getting regular exercise, socializing regularly, getting plenty of sunlight, and keeping alcohol use to a minimum are critical for individuals with bi-polar disorder. I can help you develop these healthy habits.

Watching out for warning signs

Sometimes shifts in mood can seem arbitrary, but with help we can identify some common triggers and respond thoughtfully to help moderate a mood shift and prevent these shifts from leading to trouble, including minimizing psychiatric hospitalizations. Occasionally charting mood changes along with changes in medication, seasonal changes, and various life events can help identify these patterns.

Growing emotionally

When we talk in the language of mental illness, we tend to focus on things like medication and mood shifts (all of which are important) but we leave out the more ordinary, day-to-day work of creating our lives:

You are more than your bi-polar disorder!

Psychotherapy isn’t just about disorders. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be about problems at all. People come to therapy for help with all kinds of things. If you’re struggling with bi-polar disorder, there’s likely a lot of work to do related to that disorder, but that doesn’t mean that has to limit the conversation.

For more information on creative psychotherapy in New York City for difficulties with bi-polar disorder, contact:

TriBeCa Therapy
matt@TriBeCaTherapy.com
212-571-5799
291 Broadway, Suite 801
New York, NY 10007