You can reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder with expert help
We know that it can be distressing to live with bipolar disorder. Like others living with the condition, you will have your own unique experience of the mood swings it causes. However, it is important to know that you can still live a fulfilling life with bipolar. We can help you to manage its symptoms and work on your ability to cope with, and enjoy, your day-to-day life.
At Aspris, our experts understand the specific challenges you are facing. We have helped many people in similar situations to your own to reduce the impact of bipolar disorder on their life. We do this with a tailored plan of support backed by the latest medical research, offering treatment for bipolar in Abu Dhabi and Dubai at our specialist Wellbeing Centres.
Rest assured that you don’t have to suffer on your own. Our team of psychiatrists and therapists at Aspris are here to guide you through the worst, passing on the skills and knowledge to help you achieve your goals for the future. As with any mental health condition, a better road ahead starts when you acknowledge your need for help. We can help you to take those crucial next steps to a brighter future.
How to recognise bipolar disorder
We know that being bipolar can feel isolating, but you’re in good company as there are many others going through the same as you. Around 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder at some point in their life. Many people are more familiar with its former name, manic depression. Here we’ll provide clarity to help you understand how bipolar disorder may affect you.
The signs of bipolar disorder can often be missed as they’re easily mistaken for other challenges, such as depression or chronic stress. This is due to the varied and changing nature of symptoms. The condition broadly causes extreme mood swings, with the highs and lows of these each triggering numerous symptoms of their own. The highs are known as mania, where you are likely to have excessive energy, with the lows feeling very similar to depression. The length of these mood swings will vary in everyone.
Some of the most common symptoms caused by the lows of bipolar include:
- Feeling extremely sad and hopeless
- Reduced appetite
- Feeling exhausted
- Minimal self-esteem
- Inability to enjoy any activity
By contrast, these are some of the most common symptoms of mania from bipolar:
- Intense bursts of energy and activity
- Feeling like you don’t need much sleep
- Racing thoughts
- Speaking a lot more quickly
- Unrealistic delusions, e.g. believing you can achieve anything
The symptoms aren’t limited to this list, but if you recognise anything in yourself similar to these most common signs, you should consult your GP.
The four types of bipolar disorder to be aware of
An important thing to know about bipolar disorder is that there are actually four different types. Your diagnosis could fall into any of the following, depending on your systems:
- Bipolar I disorder – this is where the manic episodes are more severe, lasting for longer, while the feelings of depression are shorter and/or or milder
- Bipolar II disorder – with this diagnosis, the depressive episodes will be more regular and severe, with less intense mania (called hypomania)
- Rapid cycling – this will be diagnosed in around one in ten people, typically causing more than four mood swings in a year
- Cyclothymia – while the mood extremes will be less severe in this case, they can be longer in length; sometimes going on to become a more severe form of bipolar
Specialist outpatient bipolar disorder treatment in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Our specialist mental health clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi provide bipolar disorder treatment in a flexible outpatient programme. We will work with you to manage your symptoms and talk through your concerns, to help reduce the intensity of your episodes.
Our psychiatric team will first carry out an assessment to identify your symptoms and the best course of action for your treatment. We can then create a tailored plan of therapeutic support, which aims to product the best outcome for you.
Our outpatient treatment is usually delivered in convenient hourly sessions, which you can fit around your weekly schedule.
We use a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques in treating bipolar disorder, including:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – this is a common talking therapy which addresses thoughts, feelings and behaviours in order to help you manage negative thought patterns associated with your episodes.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT) – this can help to reduce the impact of more severe lows associated with bipolar disorder. If feelings of depression are having a negative effect on your personal relationships, we can help you to work through these to help your interactions with those around you.
We can also prescribe medication alongside your therapy, with several types suited to treating bipolar disorder. Your consultant psychiatrist can discuss your options at your assessment, maintaining an adaptable approach so that your medication can be changed or the amount altered according to your progress.
Common medications used for bipolar include lithium, which is found to be the most effective in treating the extreme highs and lows of bipolar episodes. Other medications that can help to reduce symptoms include Sodium Valproate, Olanzapine and Quetiapine.
Without treatment, the effects of bipolar disorder will become more severe and can have a significant negative impact on your life.
Understand the causes of bipolar disorder
There are a range of factors understood to contribute to someone developing bipolar disorder. They could be a mixture of influences; it isn’t possible to pinpoint specific causes in anyone. They generally fall into any of the following categories:
- Genes – it has been shown that you are up to ten times more likely to be diagnosed as bipolar if someone in your family has the condition. However, the two aren’t too closely linked as only 8% of people with bipolar disorder will pass it onto their children
- Brain chemicals – bipolar disorder is often attributed to an imbalance of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. The brain’s ability to control mood and behaviour can also be impacted by social and stress influences
- Environment – people with bipolar disorder often experience their first episode after a stressful life event. This alone may not be a factor, but it can be a contributor when combined with any genetic and chemical imbalances
Bipolar disorder treatment in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Aspris have been offering support and treatment for bipolar disorder in the UAE since 2017. We offer expert help for bipolar in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, at the following locations:
Bipolar disorder treatment in Dubai
Aspris Wellbeing Centre Dubai
Dubai City Walk, Al Nuzha Street
Building 19
Bipolar disorder treatment in Abu Dhabi
Aspris Wellbeing Centre Abu Dhabi
King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street
Al Bateen
For further information call today on: (+971) 4 385 4493 (Dubai) / (+971) 2 651 8111 (Abu Dhabi) or submit an enquiry form in confidence. We will provide you with details on all our treatments and offer help on how to manage your mental health at a time that suits you.