10 Things You Should Know About Dual Diagnosis and Bipolar Disorder

Individuals who have co-occurring disorders of mental illness and addiction issues are known as dual diagnosis patients. Those categorized with a dual diagnosis face difficult treatment challenges, as each component of the condition tends to worse the other. Making matters even more complicated, many of the symptoms of mental illness and drug addiction are the same – making it difficult for medical professional to treat each condition properly.

One of the most serious types of dual diagnosis occurs when an individual suffers from a bipolar disorder that co-exists with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction.

10 Important Facts About Dual Diagnosis and Bipolar Disorder

1.                  Individuals with bipolar disorder (also known as "manic depression") are prone to sudden mood swings and rapid changes in energy level. They can "swing" from the highest highs to the lowest lows suddenly and without warning.

2.                  Those individuals with bipolar disorder experience a higher suicide rate than the rest of the general population.

3.                  There are four types of moods associated with bipolar disorder: mania (delusions of grandeur, rapid talking), hypomania (less intense versions of mania), depression (unable to get out of bed, bleak world view) and mixed episode (combinations of mania and depression).

4.                  Individuals with bipolar disorder who develop a dual diagnosis often start drinking or taking drugs in an effort to numb the symptoms of their mental condition – and "even out" their bipolar state.

5.                  The symptoms of bipolar disorder and drug addiction are often similar, including: depression, mood swings, hopeless feelings, social withdrawal, anxiety and other behaviors.

6.                  Studies have shown that individuals with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop adrug addiction after casual use, and find it much harder to quit. Drug addiction also takes what was already a high-suicide rate among bipolar individuals and pushes the risk factor even higher.

7.                  An individual with a co-existing bipolar disorder and addiction should seek out help only from those rehab facilities that specialize in treating dual diagnosis patients. Standard drug rehab facilities are not likely to have the psychiatric staff on hand to treat bipolar disorder.

8.                  The best treatment for a dual diagnosis patient is integrated care, in which the individual is treated for both mental illness and drug addiction under one roof, and in the course of the same program.

9.                  Dual diagnosis treatment often takes longer than standard drug rehab because doctors are aware of the fragility of those with a mental illness – and consequently move forward at a more deliberate pace.

10.              One of the finest dual diagnosis treatment programs in the country can be found at Michael's House in Palm Springs, California.

The residential dual diagnosis program at Michael's House offers complete treatment for the bipolar individuals who is also battling alcohol or drug addiction. At Michael's House, there are experts on staff who understand the special needs of the dual diagnosis patient, and make sure that they receive integrated care that consider both components of the diagnosis in full, and how they impact one another.

Source: http://www.michaelshouse.com