How Does a Person with Bipolar Think?
Bipolar Disorder

Understanding How a Person with Bipolar Disorder Thinks

Mental health plays a huge role in our daily lives, and bipolar disorder is one condition that deeply affects those who have it. If you have a loved one withExtreme mood swings, you may find their emotions and actions confusing. Even if you know about their diagnosis, it can still be hard to understand what they are going through.

So, how does a person with bipolar disorder think? At New View Wellness in Atlanta, we help people understand what it feels like to live with Mood disorder and how this condition shapes their thoughts and behaviors.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Mood disorder is a mental illness that used to be called manic depression. It causes extreme mood swings, shifting from deep depression to high-energy mania. These mood changes can happen every few weeks or a few times a year.

  • Depressive episodes make a person feel hopeless, sad, and unmotivated.
  • Manic episodes bring high energy, little need for sleep, and risky behavior.

Bipolar disorder affects personal and work life because people struggle to control their emotions. There is no cure for this illness, but medication and therapy can help manage the symptoms.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Not all Mood disorder disorders are the same. A mental health professional can diagnose the specific type a person has. The main types include:

  • Bipolar I Disorder: This is the most severe form, with extreme mood swings between deep depression and high-energy mania.
  • Bipolar II Disorder: This involves milder mania (called hypomania) and more frequent depressive episodes.
  • Cyclothymia: People with this type have mood swings that are less intense. To be diagnosed, they must have symptoms for at least two years.
  • Unspecified Mood Disorder: When a person has bipolar symptoms but does not fit into the other categories, they are diagnosed with this type.

How Does a Person with Bipolar Disorder Think?

A person with Extreme mood swings thinks differently based on their emotional state. Their mind is always battling shifting moods, making it hard to regulate thoughts and reactions.

  • During depression: They feel trapped in sadness, even when others try to cheer them up. They may think nothing will ever get better and struggle with everyday tasks.
  • During mania: They feel unstoppable, full of energy, and believe they can do anything. They might make risky choices, such as spending too much money or acting recklessly, because they feel invincible.

These extreme shifts make life difficult for the person with bipolar disorder and those around them. Their thoughts can change dramatically depending on whether they are in a high or low phase.

How to Talk to Someone with Bipolar Disorder

If you have a friend or family member with bipolar disorder, knowing how to communicate with them can help.

  • Pick the right time: Talk to them when they are in a stable mood, not during a manic or depressive episode.
  • Show understanding: Let them know you recognize their illness and want to support them.
  • Listen without judgment: Sometimes, they just need someone to listen.
  • Help them get treatment: Encourage them to seek professional help and offer to support them through the process.

How is Mood Disorder Treated?

Bipolar disorder requires professional treatment. There are different options depending on the severity of symptoms:

  • Residential Treatment: This is for people with severe bipolar disorder who need full-time care.
  • Outpatient Programs: These allow people to get treatment while still living at home.
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Therapy sessions for a few hours a day, several days a week.
  • Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): More structured than IOP, requiring more hours each week.
  • Virtual IOP: Therapy done online from home for those who cannot attend in person.

Medication for Bipolar Disorder

Medications help balance mood swings and control symptoms. A doctor may prescribe:

  • Mood stabilizers to prevent extreme highs and lows.
  • Antidepressants to help with depression.
  • Antipsychotic medications for severe symptoms.

A combination of medication and therapy often provides the best results.

Find Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Atlanta

If you are wondering, “How does a person with Extreme mood swings think?” because you have a loved one with this condition, you may want to help them find the right treatment. At New View Wellness in Atlanta, we offer outpatient programs to help individuals manage their symptoms and lead a more balanced life.

Our therapies help people recognize unhealthy thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies. With the right treatment, those with Extreme mood swings can achieve more stability and improve their overall well-being.

Contact us today to learn more about our programs. Our admissions team can provide details and check your insurance coverage for free.