 | Dee Staudt, LMSW, LCAC is the director of Addiction Treatment Services for COMCARE of Sedgwick County. Dee has been working in the community as an advocate for social services and behavioral health for 18 years. If you would like to talk to a professional confidentially about addiction treatment, help is available by calling 316-660-7540 . COMCARE is the licensed Community Mental Health and Certified Substance Use Center in Wichita and Sedgwick County serving children, adolescents and adults. |
Family Health
2010-06-01 10:14:00
Bipolar disorder
My 21 year old daughter recently was told by a nurse at her college campus health clinic that she may have a mental health condition called Bipolar Disorder. She has been referred for further assessment but we don’t know where to start. How can we help our daughter get control of her life?
Answer: Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. These moods are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time.
Bipolar disorder often develops in a person’s late teens or early adult years. At least half of all cases start before age 25. Some people have their first symptoms during childhood, while others may develop symptoms later in life.
Bipolar disorder is not easy to spot when it starts. The symptoms may seem like separate problems, not recognized as parts of a larger problem. Some people suffer for years before they are properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person’s life.
People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode. Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, affect poor job or school performance, and even lead to suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
A bipolar disorder affects not only the person with the disorder but other members of the family. The first and most important thing you can do is help her get the right diagnosis and treatment. You may need to make the appointment and go with her to see a qualified mental health provider. To date, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong and recurrent illness, people with the disorder need long-term treatment to maintain control of bipolar symptoms. An effective maintenance treatment plan includes medication and psychotherapy for preventing relapse and reducing symptom severity. Proper treatment helps most people gain better control of their mood swings and related symptoms. This is also true for people with the most severe forms of the illness.
Next, encourage your loved one to stay in treatment. Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. Many families can help by learning the signs unique to each individual that an episode is beginning and develop a plan that may help de-escalate behaviors before they become too overwhelming. Learn about bipolar disorder so you can understand what your daughter is experiencing Listen to feelings your daughter expresses, be understanding about situations that may trigger bipolar symptoms and never ignore comments about her harming herself. Questions about Bipolar Disorder can be directed to the COMCARE Intake and Assessment Center (1st Appointment) 316-660-7540 or for mental health emergencies call 316-660-7500, 24/7.
Dee Staudt, LMSW is the Director of Outpatient Services for COMCARE. Dee has been working in the community as an advocate for social services and mental health for 18 years. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals.
