borderline personality disorder

Are you looking for a bipolar disorder treatment center to help you or a loved one who suffers from bipolar disorder (BPD)? You’ve arrived at the right place. PCI is the leading BPD treatment center in the country. We have spent years assisting patients in overcoming BPD and living fulfilling lives. Our team of experts understands what you’re going through and can provide the assistance you require to move forward.
First, let’s understand what BDP is, its symptoms, who can benefit from treatment, and PCI’s approach.

What is BPD and what are the symptoms

Bipolar Disorder is separated into two different diagnoses. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), Bipolar I Disorder is what most people think of when they hear bipolar disorder. It includes the classic manic-depressive disorder. Most people who have symptoms consistent with a full manic episode also have major depressive episodes at some point in their lives. A manic episode is defined by a very distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, and irritable mood and persistently increased activity and energy that lasts for most of the day, almost every day, for at least one week. Another common feature is a reduced need for sleep. Individuals’ speech can be quick, rushed, loud, and difficult to interrupt.

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by a clinical course of recurring mood episodes consisting of one or more major depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode. A hypomanic episode is defined as a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy that lasts at least four consecutive days and is present almost every day. The major depressive episode must be at least two weeks long, and the hypomanic episode must be at least four days long. Those suffering from bipolar II disorder typically seek treatment during a major depressive episode and are unlikely to complain of hypomania at first. The impairment is usually caused by major depressive episodes or persistent patterns of unpredictable mood changes and fluctuating, unreliable interpersonal or occupational functioning, rather than hypomanic episodes. Those suffering from bipolar II disorder are unlikely to regard hypomanic episodes as pathological or intense.

How do people develop BPD

The average age at the onset of the first manic, hypomanic, or major depressive episode for bipolar I disorder is around 18 years old. Over 90% of people who have a single manic episode go on to have recurrent mood episodes. Around 60% of manic episodes occur right before a major depressive episode. Those with bipolar I disorder who have four or more mood episodes (major depressive, manic, or hypomanic) in a year receive the qualifier “with rapid cycling,” which means they cycle from one mood episode to another at a rapid rate. Individuals younger than the average age (under the age of 18) are diagnosed based on their own baseline of behavior.

The average age of onset for bipolar II disorder is in the mid-20s. It usually begins with a depressive episode and is not diagnosed as bipolar II disorder until a hypomanic episode occurs. The number of episodes that occur over the course of a person’s life (both hypomanic and major depressive episodes) tends to be higher in bipolar II disorder than in major depressive disorder or bipolar I disorder. Individuals with bipolar I disorder are more likely than those with bipolar II disorder to experience hypomanic symptoms. The time between mood episodes tends to decrease as the individual gets older with bipolar II disorder.

In bipolar II disorder, depressive episodes are more severe and disabling over time. Approximately 5% – 15% of people with bipolar II disorders have four or more mood episodes (hypomanic or major depressive) in a 12-month period. About 5% to 15% of people with bipolar II disorder will have a manic episode, which will change the diagnosis to bipolar I disorder, which is what differentiates bipolar II disorder from bipolar I disorder.

Who can benefit from PCI Centers’ treatment program

Anyone who exhibits the above-mentioned symptoms and has been officially diagnosed with bipolar I or II disorder by a mental health professional will benefit greatly from PCI Centers’ treatment program. PCI’s staff is highly trained and equipped to treat all types of mental disorders, including bipolar I and II disorder. We understand the complexity of depressive disorders, as well as how rigid they can be, and we’re eager to work with you to treat and manage them.

What happens during treatment at PCI Centers

When you make an initial appointment with PCI Centers, we’ll go over all the services we provide in great detail.

We perform a neurological evaluation early in treatment to determine your specific needs. Our highly skilled team considers all factors in order to provide the best possible care for our patients.
Depending on the severity of the disorder, you may begin treatment with a treatment program that includes support groups and individual counseling services to help you control your moods and other symptoms. At PCI, we have programs that fit your needs and your daily schedule at both our Westlake Village and Malibu locations. We provide support groups and individual counseling to aid you in gaining the help and support you need.

If you have a drug or alcohol problem in addition to your bipolar I or II disorder diagnosis, you will need to seek substance abuse treatment in addition to bipolar disorder treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is when two disorders (alcohol/drug abuse detoxification and a mental illness) are treated concurrently.
It can be extremely difficult to manage one or both if neither is treated. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment at PCI at both of our locations, which you can read more about here.

How we help our clients to live better lives

PCI takes a comprehensive approach to treating all mental illnesses, including bipolar I and II. We consider all the factors that may be influencing the disorder’s development and diagnosis, and we get to the bottom of it. We look at all of these factors during our neurological evaluation at the start of our time together and make a professional assessment of where you are in the progression of your diagnosis and continue from there. We take a collaborative approach to working with our patients, and each treatment plan is tailored to the specific needs of each patient.

We decide whether you need inpatient or outpatient treatment based on our professional evaluations of where you are in the progression of the diagnosis. Inpatient treatment involves being cared for on a regular basis both at night and during the day. Outpatient treatment allows you to continue living your life while coming to the center a set number of times per week for support group sessions or individual psychotherapy sessions. Outpatient treatment is much less intensive than inpatient treatment and is intended for patients who exhibit less serious symptoms.

Getting Help from PCI Centers for BPD Treatment

Patients with BPD frequently feel misunderstood and alone. PCI Centers understands your situation and is here to assist you. We provide the most current BPD treatment options, as well as a caring and supportive environment. Our expert team will collaborate with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Please contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in overcoming BPD.

We are committed to helping you on your journey and will walk alongside you every step of the way. Call us at (818) 629-2176 or come by our Westlake Village of Malibu location for a tour and an introductory meeting to get started. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., pp. 123–139). essay, American Psychiatric Publishing.
Mayo Clinic. (2021, February 16). Bipolar disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355961