Residential Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Millions of people worldwide are affected by some type of mental illness. One of the most common mental disorders is depression. A related disorder, bipolar disorder, usually involves a cycle of depression followed by mania (hyperactivity and elevated mood). This disorder is related to chemical imbalances in the brain; thus it is treated most commonly with medication. Sometimes medication alone is not enough, and an individual with bipolar disorder is so affected by the disorder that he must leave his work and home to deal with the illness. In these instances, the individual may choose to go to a residential facility for treatment. Below are some facts about residential treatment facilities.

Methods

• The methods of treatment in a residential facility for bipolar disorder can vary drastically. This is because each facility can have a different philosophy about mental health in general and about the effectiveness of treatment techniques as applied to bipolar disorder. In general, residential centers fall into one of three categories. The first category concentrates on a more pharmaceutical approach, with the main objective being getting proper medications for the patient. Other therapies are provided but aren't necessarily emphasized. The second category concentrates on the other therapies more than the medications--they are more holistically centered and operate under the belief that a person's mental well-being is directly affected by their actions, communications, relationships and self-awareness. The last category combines both of the previous philosophies, operating under the idea that both medication and alternate therapies will provide the best result.

Medications

• Because bipolar disorder is related to brain chemistry, patients who enter residential treatment facilities spend a great deal of time trying to find the right medication and dosage for their illness. Doctors monitor reactions to each drug and dosage and discuss with the patient any side effects that may be encountered.

Alternate Therapies

• Patients in residential facilities for bipolar disorder often are affected by their own drastic mood shifts and need to talk about the problems caused by the illness. Many treatment facilities thus offer various alternative therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy and group discussions. These provide a better understanding of how the illness is affecting the patients and others. They also provide tools with which the individual can try to manage the mood shifts and their affects; these include keeping a journal of symptoms.

Regulations

• Most treatment facilities for bipolar disorder have rather stringent rules for patient behavior. Often these are related to patient safety, but sometimes they are tailored to the patient's illness. For instance, a facility may ban residents from making coffee for themselves because caffeine is a stimulant and may accentuate a manic phase. Diet may be regulated closely because of prescriptions that may react with certain foods or drinks.

Length of Stay

• A stay at a residential treatment facility for bipolar disorder can last anywhere from just a few days to several months. A typical patient stay is on the longer side, because it takes the brain time to adjust to any medications and for doctors to monitor the effects. Longer stays also are common because it can take time for therapists to gain the trust of patients to the point at which the patient will be honest with them about the illness and the related issues. However, factors such as insurance coverage impact how long an individual stays in the center. Patients sometimes are released before full recovery or stabilization because funding for treatment runs out.