Suffering from Bipolar Disorder can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster-ride emotionally for both you and your loved ones. Maybe you are suffering from short periods of elated mood, excess energy, lowered need for sleep, grandiose ideas, and even reckless behavior, such as spending a lot of money, engaging in risky sexual behavior, or using drugs. you may feel like you are a different person, and there are no limits as to what you can do in life.
The good news is that we can help.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has been shown to help those with depression and bipolar disorder, especially when combined with the proper medication.
Bipolar disorders are often treated with psychotropic medications, e.g., lithium and Depakote. There is scientific evidence that adding cognitive behavioral therapy as an adjunct can be helpful. Bipolar symptoms may decrease further and increases in coping skills are found when therapy is added.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the approach our NYC therapists seek to reduce the intensity and frequency of a client’s emotional pain, suffering, and self-defeating behaviors. CBT can help clients to cultivate skills leading to goal achievement and life satisfaction by assessing and treating:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy was originally developed by Marsha Linehan for the treatment of individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but has since been shown to be effective therapy for many concerns.
DBT contains four treatment modes that aim to address five functions. The four treatment modes are individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching on an as-needed basis, and therapist consultation meetings.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). It has been applied to various mental disorders, e.g., anxiety, anger, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, etc. REBT was created by Dr. Albert Ellis. Al Ellis was originally trained as a psychoanalyst and began practicing psychoanalysis in New York City. After working with his patients for some time, he became dissatisfied with the lack of progress they were making. At this point he decided to return to his long-term passion, philosophy, to see if the wisdom there could benefit clients.
He developed the ABC model of emotional disturbance largely based on the work of philosophers who emphasized the role of beliefs and thinking in influencing emotional states. The REBT ABC model is an acronym that stands for Activating Events, Beliefs, and Consequences. Consequences include both emotional consequences and behavioral consequences. REBT therefore conceptualizes emotional disturbances like anxiety, as a result of the combination of an activating event and one’s beliefs about the activating event, the self, life and the future.
Bipolar I Disorder could be diagnosed when a manic (or mixed) episode has occurred. A depressive episode could be part of the course but is not necessary for a diagnosis of Bipolar I. Bipolar II Disorder could be diagnosed if there has never been a manic (or mixed) episode and a hypomanic episode and depressive episode have occurred.
Manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes need to be assessed in order for a mental health professional to properly diagnose these disorders. Manic episodes require a minimum of a week of symptoms, which may include inflated sense of self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increases in pleasurable or goal-directed behaviors to the extent that there is a likelihood of disastrous consequences to personal safety and health, financial security, and familial, personal, and work relationships. Hypomanic episodes involve symptoms similar to a manic episode, but only need to be present for four days and does not cause significant impairment.
Depressive episodes involve depressed mood or anhedonia, along with other symptoms including changes in weight, sleep, motor behavior, energy, worthlessness, guilt, concentration, hopelessness, or thoughts of death or suicide.
If you have bipolar disorder, you may do things that you later regret, feel ashamed or embarrassed about, things that get you in trouble with the law or end up with serious consequences for your health, financial, social, work, and family relationships.
Other times you may feel a lack of energy, sleepiness, apathy, hopelessness, concentration problems, weight gain or loss, lack of appetite, moodiness, and loss of pleasure. In some cases the depression and the mania/hypomania change rather rapidly, other times it can take months before a manic/hypomanic episode returns. Since we use scientifically supported treatments for Bipolar Disorder, there is good reason to believe your (or your loved one’s) symptoms can begin to improve very soon.
Connect with your therapist by either completing our matching form or reaching out to our care coordinators over the phone.
Attend a 45 minute intake session, where you will get to know your chosen therapist. The point of this visit is to learn what brought you to therapy and how we can help.
In each ongoing session, you and your therapist will use trusted therapy approaches to help you develop and reach your goals. Collaboratively, you’ll connect in a safe, comfortable space to help you engage in your life in the way you want.
Our therapists and coaches have combined decades of experience and are specially trained to provide high quality, compassionate support for your health and wellbeing.
We’re dedicated to using evidence-based methods to ensure you receive the most effective treatment and meet your goals.
We know that having a better relationship with your therapist leads to better outcomes, so we carefully match you with the right therapist to fit your unique needs.
It’s important to our therapists that you feel safe, seen, and understood in therapy. Our offices are judgment-free spaces.
Based on your preferences, we’ll offer therapist or coach recommendations to help you match with your perfect fit.
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