Are you exhausted trying to manage bipolar on your own?

Have you had enough of feeling out of control?

It’s exhausting to watch others float by as you barely manage to keep your head above water. Exhausting to wait for yet another episode, walking a tightrope between mania and depression. Exhausting to keep it a secret because others simply won’t understand. Just when you through you were doing well, bipolar rears its ugly head again. Is this what life will be like forever?

“I just want to be normal,” you hear yourself say.

If Only They Knew…

If you have bipolar disorder, you are no stranger to internal turmoil. Irritability and anxiety are your “best” friends. Constant battles between the bright colors of mania and the darkness of depression are making you wonder if it’s all even worth it. “Why me?” you may ask as you throw more trash on the floor, unable to get out of bed. “Why not me?!?!” you may shout as you decide to spend the night writing the next great American novel instead of sleeping.

The worst part? This is not the first or last time this is happening. And it’s not just your inner world that’s on fire. You may have alienated friends and loved ones by behaving strangely during a manic episode or you may have lost connections because you can’t bring yourself to answer texts while depressed. Bipolar disorder can be heartbreaking and isolating. You didn’t do anything to deserve it, yet you have to deal with this burden every day.

You’re Not Alone

Almost 6 million American adults are reported to have bipolar. The disorder involves having episodes of intense depression interspersed by usually shorter episodes of mania or hypomania. Mania is a marker of bipolar type I and hypomania happens with type II. Both are characterized by feeling extremely confident and elated, but mania can also include psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. There is a third type of bipolar called cyclothymia - the episodes are milder but they can last longer. 

Bipolar disorder is so much more than “ups and downs” or being “moody” - it is a complex condition that requires proper attention and care. Bipolar is often inherited and can frequently coexist with harmful substance use and ADHD. It can cause untold suffering to people who have it and their loved ones. With bipolar disorder, you could feel on top of the world for a week and then collapse into a year-long depression that makes you numb and unable to enjoy even the most wonderful things. You may overspend or feel very sexual during episodes in addition to feeling anxious and irritable.

You’re Just Human

Having bipolar disorder does not mean you are “crazy” or “damaged.” You are likely brilliant in ways that other people cannot comprehend and appreciate, which further pushes you away from others. You see the world differently because you were born different. Your creativity and imagination are unbound, leading you to dream big and act even bigger. If only that beauty could shine through the unstable exterior, but instead it often gets lost in the muck of depression or the haughtiness of mania.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can feel more stable and at peace with therapy. Therapy for bipolar disorder can help you manage episodes and re-gain a sense of control over your life. You can learn skills to lift yourself out of the deep despair and self-loathing of depression into stability. You can learn to recognize the early warning signs of mania before you get swept away by it. A peaceful stillness can replace irritability and anxiety.

 How Bipolar Disorder Therapy Can Help

All people with bipolar go through certain challenges, and there are tested, research-based methods of making them easier to manage. Anna Khandrueva combines therapies that teach real, practical skills – like cognitive behavioral therapy – with other, more emotion-based approaches that can help you accept your diagnosis and move on from prior episodes and their fallout. You don’t want to go to a therapist who has only a cursory knowledge of bipolar disorder – you want someone who has taken the time to train themselves and receive experience with this specific issue.

What Can I Expect in Bipolar Disorder Therapy?

In bipolar disorder therapy sessions, you will have a chance to talk about your needs and wishes before diving into a plan designed just for you. You will discover your strengths and learn how to leverage them during the tough times. You will receive practical tips on dealing with bipolar disorder, including worksheets and homework. You will also get a chance to simply talk and vent. Mindfulness will certainly be a part of the work. You can put effort into your relationships or into your individual journey from instability to balance.

You may feel like you don’t fit into this world – Anna’s job is to find a way for you to belong without hiding your unique talents and gifts. You have to believe that inner and outer peace is possible. When you are committed to growth, results will follow. And if you make a misstep, Anna will be there to support and encourage you through it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place where you can be your unapologetically true self?

Suffering Is Not Your Destiny

Even if you feel hopeless now, there is a way forward. There is a way to feel heard and understood even in the darkest or wildest of times. There is a way to reclaim your life and relax a bit for a change. There is a way to fix relationships and create more social connections instead of destroying them. You can still dream big while maintaining a healthy routine and a positive, growth-oriented mindset.

 What If I Don’t Get Better?

Across all treatments, success rate for stabilizing bipolar disorder is 80%. While there are no guarantees, there is certainly hope. Learning practical skills like tracking, cognitive management, and relaxation techniques alone will be worth your time. But don’t underestimate the importance of simply having someone to talk to – someone who understands and won’t judge. A big part of having bipolar is feeling alone and even “cursed.” Therapy can normalize your experience and bring some much needed balance into your life.

Will I Need Therapy Forever?

People with bipolar disorder can live full lives without going to regular therapy, especially if they take the time to learn the basics. You can come in with the goal of learning specific skills or working on your relationship and leave once that goal is fulfilled. Or you can choose to continue coming to therapy because you need someone to listen. It’s up to you to find what works for your unique situation. Some clients refer to therapy as their “train tracks” that help them stay on course. Others come in looking for tried-and-true solutions to common problems faced by people with bipolar before they sail off on their own.

What If It’s My Partner/Loved One Who Has Bipolar?

Relationships with people who have bipolar can be tough. If you are both up for it, relationship therapy is your best bet. But if your partner or loved one with bipolar is unwilling to come to therapy, you can certainly benefit from coming in alone. Just learning the details of what they are going through can help you support them better. Plus, you can learn how to reduce your own stress levels. Having someone to lean on is incredibly important for your loved one, but you can’t help them if you don’t put your oxygen mask first. Whether it’s education or therapy you are looking for, you can find it here.

How Can I Get Help?

You’ve waited long enough. Free consultations are available to answer your questions. Use the button below to schedule your 20-minute consultation. You can also send an email or call (720) 340-2327 - all voicemails are answered within 24 hours.