Bi-Polar

While the existence of any mental illness can elicit monumental disturbances in an individual's life, conditions like bipolar disorder have the potential to produce chaos in the lives of those afflicted by it. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes dramatic mood swings—from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between.


Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Someone who has both bipolar disorder and alcoholism or other addictions turn to these substances to self medicate, and are said to have a dual diagnosis. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism or other types of substance abuse can be a dangerous combination as each can worsen the symptoms and severity of the other. Our Board Certified Psychiatrists specialize in the treatment of both disorders.

Written by Eric Niccole

Posted on July 17, 2016

Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward reclaiming your life. During evaluation, our psychiatrists will take care to obtain a detailed family history—and to ask patients if they have ever experienced symptoms of mania or hypomania prior to formulating a proper diagnosis.


The classic form of the illness, which involves recurrent episodes of mania and depression, is called Bipolar I disorder. Some people, however, never develop severe mania but instead experience milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression; this form of the illness is called Bipolar II disorder. With mania, people may feel extremely irritable or euphoric. People living with bipolar may experience several extremes in the shape of agitation, sleeplessness and talkativeness or sadness and hopelessness. They may also have extreme pleasure-seeking or risk-taking behaviors. People’s symptoms and the severity of their mania or depression vary widely.

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes dramatic mood swings—from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between.

Psychopharmacological intervention is key in helping patients with significant mood disturbance. The Landon Institute provides individualized treatment designed to meet the myriad of needs that sufferers of this mental health condition present with. Our evidence-based practices combined with our extensively experienced psychiatrists are expertly equipped to prescribe and manage the most effective treatment medications, a cornerstone to successfully treating the symptoms of, and alleviating the ensuing distresses.


There are a variety of medications used to treat Bipolar Disorder and our Board Certified Psychiatrists will work closely with the patient to establish a medication protocol that best suits their specific needs. They may include mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and/or antianxiety agents, In addition, the depressive symptoms may be treated with antidepressants, but are usually taken with a mood stabilizer due to the risk of triggering a manic episode. With proper management and effective treatment, the use of psychotropic medications, can lead the patient to a healthy and productive lives. Without treatment, however, the natural course of bipolar disorder tends to worsen.

While the loss of control the individual suffering from bipolar disorder experiences on an ongoing basis can leave them feeling as though every day is an uphill battle, the caring and compassionate staff at the Landon Institute will draw upon their extensive experience to insure patients overcome their challenges and rediscover a happy and healthy life, free from the devastating symptoms of bipolar disorder.


Our team of experts recognize how troubling and overwhelming it can be to face each day plagued by the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Our integrative approach emphasizes treating the whole person instead of just focusing on eliminating the presenting symptoms. The Landon Institute’s compassionate physicians understand that there is so much more to you than the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

While the existence of any mental illness can elicit monumental disturbances in an individual's life, conditions like bipolar disorder have the potential to produce chaos in the lives of those afflicted by it.

You're Not Alone

At our beautiful institute in Newport Beach, California, The Landon Institute provides nationally recognized evidence-based outpatient treatment programs for addiction, rehabilitation, and recovery. Our Board Certified Physicians are extensively experienced in addiction recovery and rehabilitation. We believe in a comprehensive, whole-recovery approach to overcoming chemical and/or alcohol dependency that focuses on all three factors of health that addiction affects: physical, mental and emotional health.

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