Online Therapy for Bipolar Disorder in Roswell, GA

Bipolar disorder can manifest at any age, though it is typically diagnosed during adolescents or in a person’s early twenties. As symptoms can vary from person to person and may present differently over time, some people don’t end up getting diagnosed till later in their lives. 

Unfortunately, the exact cause of the bipolar disorder is unknown and research is still being done in this area to help gain clarity. The most current medical research suggests that bipolar can be triggered by factors such as biological differences in the brain, genetics, having a first-degree relative with bipolar, experiencing stress and/or trauma, and drug and alcohol abuse.  

It’s extremely important to treat your bipolar, as leaving it unattended can result in serious problems such as abusing drugs and alcohol, suicide attempts, legal and financial issues, relationship problems, and severe hindrance to your quality of life. 

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the symptoms that a person with bipolar may experience. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time. However, the most common signs of bipolar are: 

• Mania and hypomania. These episodes are characterized by three or more of the following symptoms:
• Being abnormally upbeat, jittery, or wired. 
• Decreased need or desire for sleep. 
• An exaggerated sense of fearlessness, well-being, and self-confidence (euphoria). 
• Feeling severe agitation. 
• High levels of activity and energy. 
• High levels of distractibility
• Poor or reckless decision-making. 
• Racing or cycling thoughts 
• Unusual talkativeness. 

• Major depressive episode. These episodes of depression typically include five or more of the following symptoms:
• Feeling sad, empty, apathetic, hopeless, and/or irritated for prolonged periods of time. 
• Losing interest in previously loved activities or in participating in events altogether. 
• Significant weight loss or weight gain. 
• Sleeping too much or too little. 
• Feelings of extreme restlessness.
• Slowed behavior.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Feelings of worthlessness.
• Inappropriate amounts of guilt. 
• Difficulty making decisions and/or concentrating. 
• Thinking about or attempting suicide. 

A person with bipolar may also display symptoms of bipolar that lay outside of manic or depressive episodes, some of which may include diagnostic labels such as mixed or rapid cycling. 

At the current time, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. It is a lifelong condition that requires treatment to manage symptoms. Depending on your unique medical needs, treatment may include:

• Prescription medications to help balance your moods. 
• Continued psychological treatment, such as counseling or therapy. 
• Admittance to a day treatment program. 
• Treatment for any coinciding substance abuse issues. 
• Psychiatric hospitalization if you’re behaving dangerously and need more intensive support stabilizing your moods. 
• Attending support groups. 

Treatment for bipolar disorder typically includes utilizing medications and psychotherapy (psychological counseling) in combination with each other to best control symptoms. 
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with bipolar, or are looking for more support to help you manage your symptoms, contact us at PersonALL Counseling. We’re happy to meet you wherever you are in your treatment process, answer any questions that you may have, and get you booked in for an appointment at your earliest convenience. We serve clients from Roswell GA, Mountain Park GA, Dunwoody GA, Sandy Springs GA, Alpharetta GA, and surrounding areas.