Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Sycamore and North Aurora IL
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If you are interested in counseling for Bipolar Disorder, call OakHeart at 630-570-0050 or 779-201-6440 or email us at [email protected]. We have counselors, psychologists, and social workers available to help you at one of our locations in North Aurora, IL, Sycamore, IL, and/or via Telehealth Online Therapy Services serving Kane County, DeKalb County, Dupage County, and beyond.
If you are interested in medication management for bipolar disorder, please call 630-273-7115. What is Bipolar Disorder?Bipolar disorders, formerly known as manic depressive disorders, are characterized by extreme shifts in mood that are episodic. Symptoms can include an extremely elevated or irritable mood called mania. They may also often include episodes of depression. A person with bipolar disorder may have long periods of time without experiencing these mood extremes. People with bipolar disorder may have trouble managing everyday tasks of daily living, school, work, and/or social or family relationships during episodes of mania, hypo-mania, and/or depression.
Mania describes a mood episode characterized by a person feeling abnormally excited, confident and/or irritable for at least one week and present most of the day, nearly every day. During that elevated or irritable mood the person may also experience grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, more talkative or speaking rapidly, racing thoughts, increase in goal directed activities or trouble sitting still, and excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (spending sprees, sexual encounters, theft, investments, gambling, etc). Hypo-mania symptoms are similar, but less intense in functional impairments, although the functional change is still present and noticeable by others. Depression describes a mood episode characterized by a person feeling abnormally down and sad for at least two weeks and present most of the day, nearly every day. During the depressed mood the person may also experience diminished interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, weight loss/gain or significant changes in appetite, sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little), restlessness or feeling slowed down, excessive fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished ability to concentrate or make a decision, and thoughts of death or suicide. For a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder, it is necessary to meet the criteria for a manic episode. |
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The manic episode may have been preceded by and may be followed by hypo-manic and major depressive episodes. It is true that only one manic episode in a life time is needed to obtain a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. For a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder, it is necessary to meet the criteria for a current or past hypo-manic episode and the criteria for a current or past major depressive disorder without ever experiencing a manic episode. Lastly, for a diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder a person must not meet the full criteria of any mood episode, but instead may experience more chronic and frequent mood shifts that are less intense but more frequent for at least two years without going longer than 2 months without mood shifts. These shifts do still cause functional impairments in daily living, they just don't meet full criteria for an episode.
Most people with bipolar disorder spend more time in depressive episodes than manic or hypo-manic episodes.
Most people with bipolar disorder spend more time in depressive episodes than manic or hypo-manic episodes.
How Do You Treat Bipolar Disorder?
There is no cure for bipolar disorder. It is a chronic mental health condition that is much more common than most realize. The good news is that people with bipolar disorder can learn to manage their symptoms, similarly to someone with diabetes or high blood pressure, and function well in their day to day lives. First-line treatment of Bipolar Disorder is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication management combined.
CBT for bipolar disorders involve psycho-education, identifying early warning signs and implementing behaviors to counteract the mood episode, cognitive restructuring, and reduction in vulnerabilities to mood symptoms. Your therapist may incorporate components of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral approaches as well, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) if indicated.
Learning to live a healthy life with bipolar disorder may seem daunting, but your therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. We feel strongly that our therapists at OakHeart can help guide you in the process. Our team of psychologists, licensed counselors, and social workers in North Aurora and Sycamore, Illinois provides evidence-based treatment for bipolar disorder to clients throughout Kane County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, and the surrounding Chicago suburbs, including in-person and telehealth options.
CBT for bipolar disorders involve psycho-education, identifying early warning signs and implementing behaviors to counteract the mood episode, cognitive restructuring, and reduction in vulnerabilities to mood symptoms. Your therapist may incorporate components of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral approaches as well, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) if indicated.
Learning to live a healthy life with bipolar disorder may seem daunting, but your therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. We feel strongly that our therapists at OakHeart can help guide you in the process. Our team of psychologists, licensed counselors, and social workers in North Aurora and Sycamore, Illinois provides evidence-based treatment for bipolar disorder to clients throughout Kane County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, and the surrounding Chicago suburbs, including in-person and telehealth options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder:
Is bipolar disorder curable?
Bipolar disorder is not curable, but it is very manageable. With the right combination of therapy and medication, many individuals with bipolar disorder live full, productive, and satisfying lives. Think of it similarly to managing a chronic physical health condition like diabetes, it requires ongoing attention, but it does not have to define your life.
What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?
The key difference is the presence of a full manic episode. Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode, which is typically more severe and may require hospitalization. Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes, which are less intense than full mania, along with major depressive episodes. Neither is "better" or "worse," both significantly impact quality of life and require treatment.
Can therapy alone treat bipolar disorder?
Research consistently shows that the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder combines medication and psychotherapy. Therapy alone is generally not considered sufficient for managing bipolar disorder, particularly for Bipolar I. However, therapy plays a critical role in helping individuals understand their disorder, identify early warning signs, develop coping strategies, and improve functioning and quality of life.
How do I know if I have bipolar disorder or just mood swings?
Many people experience fluctuations in mood, but bipolar disorder involves distinct episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression that are significantly more intense, longer-lasting, and impairing than typical mood variability. If you are noticing extreme shifts in energy, mood, sleep, or behavior that are impacting your daily functioning, relationships, or work, it is worth speaking with a mental health professional for a thorough evaluation.
Bipolar disorder is not curable, but it is very manageable. With the right combination of therapy and medication, many individuals with bipolar disorder live full, productive, and satisfying lives. Think of it similarly to managing a chronic physical health condition like diabetes, it requires ongoing attention, but it does not have to define your life.
What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?
The key difference is the presence of a full manic episode. Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode, which is typically more severe and may require hospitalization. Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes, which are less intense than full mania, along with major depressive episodes. Neither is "better" or "worse," both significantly impact quality of life and require treatment.
Can therapy alone treat bipolar disorder?
Research consistently shows that the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder combines medication and psychotherapy. Therapy alone is generally not considered sufficient for managing bipolar disorder, particularly for Bipolar I. However, therapy plays a critical role in helping individuals understand their disorder, identify early warning signs, develop coping strategies, and improve functioning and quality of life.
How do I know if I have bipolar disorder or just mood swings?
Many people experience fluctuations in mood, but bipolar disorder involves distinct episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression that are significantly more intense, longer-lasting, and impairing than typical mood variability. If you are noticing extreme shifts in energy, mood, sleep, or behavior that are impacting your daily functioning, relationships, or work, it is worth speaking with a mental health professional for a thorough evaluation.
Click here to learn more about Depression
Click here to learn more about Grief and Bereavement
Click here to learn more about Trauma Treatment
Click here to learn more about Postpartum Depression
Click here to learn more about Insomnia
Click here to learn more about Self Esteem
*Bipolar Disorder resources at the bottom of this page
Click here to learn more about Grief and Bereavement
Click here to learn more about Trauma Treatment
Click here to learn more about Postpartum Depression
Click here to learn more about Insomnia
Click here to learn more about Self Esteem
*Bipolar Disorder resources at the bottom of this page
OakHeart Bipolar Disorder Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers
Bipolar Related Blogs:
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Correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder is essential for developing an appropriate treatment plan. Proper diagnosis involves doing a thorough clinical interview which is likely to include various assessments and coordination of care with other providers. Bipolar I disorder is diagnosed when an individual meets criteria for at least one manic episode. When an individual meets criteria for at least one hypomanic episode and one depressive episode, bipolar II is diagnosed. More information on diagnosing bipolar disorder can be found in my Monday Facebook blog post. Evidence-based treatment for bipolar disorder involves a combination of medication and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Other effective treatment interventions may include ACT and DBT strategies...(to read more, click on the link above).
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One of the most powerful tools available to individuals living with bipolar disorder is also one of the most underutilized: the ability to recognize when a mood episode is beginning before it fully takes hold. Early warning signs, sometimes called prodromal symptoms, are the subtle shifts in mood, thinking, behavior, sleep, and energy that often precede a full manic, hypomanic, or depressive episode. Learning to identify your personal early warning signs, and knowing what to do when they appear, is a cornerstone of effective bipolar disorder management and a central component of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for bipolar disorder...(to read more, click on the link above).
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Bipolar Disorder Resources
If You Are in Crisis
If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, call 911.
National Organizations and Information
If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, call 911.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor, available 24/7.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat at veteranscrisisline.net.
- The Trevor Project (support for LGBTQ youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678.
National Organizations and Information
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bipolar Disorder: nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder. A research-based overview of symptoms, causes, and treatment.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Bipolar Disorder: nami.org/types-of-conditions/bipolar-disorder. Education, support, and local affiliates. The NAMI HelpLine is available at 800-950-6264, or text "NAMI" to 62640, Monday through Friday, 10am to 10pm ET. The HelpLine is an information and referral service, not a crisis line.
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): dbsalliance.org. Peer support groups, wellness tools, and educational materials focused specifically on mood disorders.
- International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF): ibpf.org. Free education, support resources, and lived-experience stories for individuals and caregivers.
- International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD): isbd.org. A professional and research society advancing bipolar disorder treatment, with educational materials and a global resources directory.
