How counselling can help someone with Bipolar Disorder
We often get asked, what treatment options are available for bipolar diagnosis and how our counselling team can assist with it. There is still a lot of stigma around getting a mental health related label whether it is a particular disorder or an illness but many people find it reassuring as it removes confusion and doubt from the mind. Our medical system here in BC is stretched out far too thin and a vast majority of people who are struggling mentally dont think that sufficient help is available. We aren’t starting a debate here but understand the struggle to some extent and are here to help through our professional clinicians and student counsellors.
Research literature points out that the best treatment of bipolar disorder typically involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. The specific treatment plan will vary depending on the individual's symptoms, the severity of the condition, and their personal preferences (taking medication should always be a personal and family’s choice).
Here are some common treatment options for bipolar disorder:
Medication: This should be discussed with your GP and/or psychiatrist
Mood stabilizers: Medications such as lithium, valproic acid, or lamotrigine are often prescribed to help regulate mood swings and prevent manic or depressive episodes.
Antidepressants: In some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed cautiously, along with a mood stabilizer, to address depressive symptoms. However, they are used with caution to avoid triggering manic episodes.
Antipsychotics: Atypical antipsychotic medications like aripiprazole, olanzapine, or quetiapine may be prescribed to help manage manic or mixed episodes.
Psychotherapy: This is where our team comes in and provides you tool to assist with challenges you are facing whether personal, professional or interpersonal.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help individuals with bipolar disorder identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It focuses on developing coping strategies, managing stress, and improving problem-solving skills.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): IPSRT focuses on stabilizing daily routines and managing relationships to regulate the body's internal clock and reduce the risk of mood episodes.
Family-focused therapy: This therapy involves educating family members about bipolar disorder, improving communication, and developing strategies to support their loved one with the condition. If there are tracesof trauma and/or attachment wounds, we can address them through EFT and strength based approaches.
Lifestyle Adjustments:
Sleep Regulation: Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene can help stabilize mood and reduce the risk of mood episodes.
Stress Management: Learning stress-reduction techniques, such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness, and time management, can be beneficial in managing bipolar disorder. If you haven’t already, check out some of our useful video resources which we have created for our clients.
Healthy Lifestyle: Engaging in regular physical exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol and substance abuse can contribute to overall stability and well-being.
Counselling can play a crucial role in helping someone with bipolar disorder. Here's how counselling can be beneficial:
Emotional Support: Counselling provides a safe and nonjudgmental space for individuals to express their emotions, fears, and concerns. It offers a supportive environment where they can gain validation and understanding. Besides CBT, DBT, our counsellors are master level clinicians trained to offer EFT, ACT, Somatic and Narrative therapy approaches for your wellbeing.
Education and Psychoeducation: Counselling can help individuals and their families learn more about bipolar disorder, its symptoms, triggers, and treatment options. Psychoeducation equips individuals with knowledge and skills to manage their condition effectively.
Developing Coping Strategies: Counselling helps individuals develop effective coping strategies to manage stress, regulate emotions, and identify early warning signs of mood episodes. It teaches problem-solving skills and resilience-building techniques.
Medication Adherence: Counselling can support individuals in understanding the importance of medication compliance and help them address any concerns or side effects associated with medication.
Relapse Prevention: Counselling assists individuals in developing relapse prevention strategies and creating a personalized wellness plan. It provides ongoing support to manage the challenges associated with bipolar disorder effectively.
We strongly believe that the treatment for bipolar disorder should be individualized, and the specific approach may vary for each person so we dont consider our clients as just another file but use humanistic, compassionate and collaborative techniques to do our deep, powerful work. Working closely with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist and a registered clinical counsellor, can help families and individuals develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the individual's unique needs. We are here for you.
