Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder was previously known as manic depression is a mental health disorder characterised by periods of depression which alternate with periods of abnormally elevated mood.

When the elevated mood is very pronounced it is classified as mania but if it is less severe, it is then known as hypomania.

When a person experiences the manic phase they are often highly energetic, irritable or unusually happy and are prone to making impulsive decisions without due consideration of the possible consequences.

When the mood switches to feelings of depression sufferers often develop a very negative outlook about life, find socalising difficult and amy spend a lot of time in tears.

Because bipolar disorders have such a pronounced impact on the mood of the sufferer there may be a tendency to develop substance abuse problems as a way of coping with the mood swings.

Man with bipolar disorder showing depressive and manic graphics

Whilst the biological causes of Bipolar Disorder are yet to be discovered there is some suggestion that genetics may play a role.

Long term exposure to environmental stressors and incidents of childhood abuse are both striongly correlated with this disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

The main symptoms and signs associated with bipolar disorder tend to appear between late adolescence and early adulthood.

Intermittment periods of mania and depression (symptoms are usually absent in between these phases)
Mood disruptions
Irritabiity
Bouts of hyperactivity and inactivity
Delusions or hallucinations (generally only in Mania not Hypnomania)
Large shifts in the sense of self-esteem
Reduced social inhibition

As is the case with many of the mental health disorders, the symptoms associated with BPD also occur in non-disordered individuals and so could be tought of as normal.

It is the intensity, severity and frequency of the symptoms that defines someone with bipolar disorder rather then the behaviours themselves.

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Technically, only a psychiatrist can diagnose bipolar disorder, but in the UK general practitioners have tended to diagnose mental health problems by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

The DSM lists specific symptoms against a range of disorders and whenever a person meets this criteria, they are said to be suffering from that disorder.

Diagnostic procedures for mental health disorders do NOT make use of medical testing (for example blood tests) in order to produce a diagnosis, but rather is an opinion based on the observation of certain behaviours in the person who is suffering.

Because of this lack of verifiable medical testing, diagnosis remains a controversial subject, particularly within the psychological community.

However, in the UK access to support services is often contingent on receiving a diagnosis, so in this sense, a formal diagnosis may be useful.

Getting a Mental Health Diagnosis

Please be aware that Tranceform Psychology do not diagnose mental health disorders.

Our psychological counselling services do not require you to have been formally diagnosed but should you wish to obtain a formal mental health diagnosis, then please contact your GP who can arrange it for you.

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CBT for Bipolar Disorder

If you’re committed to overcoming your Bipolar Disorder then we highly recommend following our Tranceformental CBT 10 session programme.

The Tranceformental programme is a highly successful & pragmatic course of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) run over 10 sessions, that will teach you everything you need to know to understand the psychological aspects of your problem.

It can also help you to identify any unhelpful thinking styles or limiting beliefs that might be reinforcing the issue.

The programme is also available as an online self-help CBT programme. if you prefer not to consult a therapist directly.

CBT is an empirically supported approach used by mental health practitioners around the World.

Free Initial Consultations for Bipolar Disorder

We offer all prospective clients a FREE initial consultation to discuss your Bipolar Disorder prior to commencing any treatment plans.

The consultation is free and lasts around 50 minutes.

During this consultation we will discuss the various therapy options that are available to you and make a considered recommendation based on your individual personal circumstances.

Initial consultations are also available as part of our online therapy service.

At Tranceform Psychology we recognise the importance of the therapeutic relationship in helping people to bring about effective change, so its important to be able to ‘meet’ to discuss any therapy treatments BEFORE proceeding.

Our policy is to help people make a fully balanced & considered decision about undertaking work with us, including both the financial and personal implications.