Bipolar Treatment Centers Offering Holistic Inpatient and Residential Care

Treating the Entire Person at Holistic Bipolar Treatment Centers

Bipolar disorder is one of the more challenging mental health disorders to stabilize and treat.  The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary significantly between individuals suffering from the condition, and can have far-reaching effects into many areas of one’s daily life.  Bipolar disorder is often unpredictable, making it necessary to have an array of treatment methods available to manage it.

In recent years holistic therapies have been embraced to help ease symptoms, aid in stress reduction, and help to stabilize the mood shifts.  In response, holistic bipolar treatment centers and adjunct treatment programs have sprung up to provide these important services, helping bipolar sufferers enjoy a better quality of life.

About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a unique mental health condition that causes abrupt shifts in mood.  These extreme mood variances cause a great deal of tumult in the life of the sufferer, and result in depleted energy and activity levels.  Although the high (manic) phases are part of the disorder, the majority of those with bipolar tend to primarily suffer low mood (depressive).

The periods of intense highs include feelings of elation, high energy, racing thoughts, agitation and irritability, insomnia, increased activity levels, fast talking, and risk-taking behaviors.  The periods of low mood include feeling depression, very sad and hopeless, low energy, trouble concentrating, change in eating habits, change in sleep habits, chronic worry, lack of joy, fatigue, and thoughts of death or suicide.  There are different types of bipolar disorder that are differentiated by the level of the intensity of symptoms, as well as the types of symptoms.  The standard treatment protocol may include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotics along with psychotherapy.

How Yoga Helps Manage Bipolar Symptoms

It has been shown that stress exacerbates the symptoms of bipolar disorder, so finding therapeutic practices through a holistic bipolar treatment center is helpful in controlling stress.  Yoga for bipolar disorder is one of the most effective methods of managing stress and promoting calm.

Yoga involves three elements—purposeful movements and poses, controlled breathing, and meditation.  The slow stretches and balance work used in yoga poses also help with flexibility and overall fitness, in addition to keeping stress under control.  There are different types of yoga, including Hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, Bikram yoga, power yoga, and Vinyasa yoga.

How Mindfulness Helps Manage Bipolar Disorder

Because anxiety is present during both the manic and depressive moods of bipolar disorder, controlling it is an important treatment element.  Mindfulness training derives from Buddhist teachings and helps alleviate the symptoms of anxiety through a practice that helps the individual focus on the present moment.  Focusing on one’s breathing while using specific meditation techniques can reduce the tendency for constant worrying and ruminating that is common in bipolar disorder.

Holistic bipolar treatment centers will incorporate mindfulness training in to the treatment program to help patients develop new thought patterns and responses related to feelings of anxiety.  These practices help the patient to become more aware of increasing or decreasing mood states and changes in one’s mental state.

Other Holistic Bipolar Treatments

There are some other holistic treatments available for helping manage bipolar disorder.  These include:

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)

For individuals who have bipolar disorder and a history of trauma, EMDR may help mitigate symptoms.  EMDR uses a supervised system of rapid back and forth eye movements to help bipolar suffers work through an associated trauma event.

Light therapy

Some individuals with bipolar may have interrupted circadian rhythms, making their internal clock be out of kilter.  In order to reestablish regular sleep patterns, light therapy can be helpful.  Light therapy uses a special light box that exposes the individual to a specified number of hours of light daily.

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)

For younger peopled with bipolar disorder, IPSRT has been shown to help regulate both biological and social rhythms through teaching medication adherence, stress management, and to reduce disruptions in social rhythms.

The Treatment Specialist Can Locate a Holistic Bipolar Treatment Centers for You

The Treatment Specialist is exactly that, a service that will connect you to specialized treatment for bipolar disorder.  With their free locator service, The Treatment Specialist can match your specific needs to a leading holistic bipolar treatment center.  For more information, contact The Treatment Specialist today at (866) 644-7911.