Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center in Louisiana

Treatment for bipolar disorder at Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, LA

Bipolar disorder is a brain condition that affects a child’s mood, energy levels, and their ability to accomplish everyday tasks. These changes in mood and energy range from manic episodes, during which a child feels highly energized and elated, to depressive episodes in which a child feels hopeless and empty. A child who demonstrates a less severe state of increased activity or agitation is experiencing a state called hypomania.

Adolescents can experience four types of bipolar disorder, including:

• Bipolar I disorder – The child experiences manic episodes that last at least a week and depressive episodes that typically last two weeks. They may also experience episodes with mixed features that include both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time.
• Bipolar II disorder – The child experiences hypomanic episodes for at least four consecutive days and depressive episodes for at least two weeks, but they do not experience manic episodes.
• Cyclothymic disorder – The child experiences hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least two years that do not meet the criteria for depressive and hypomanic episodes.
• Other specified or unspecified bipolar and related disorders – The child struggles with symptoms characteristic of bipolar disorder but does not meet the full criteria for the three related disorders.

Adolescents who suffer from bipolar disorder struggle with intense emotions and changes in sleep and activity levels that are not typical of kids their age. If the symptoms of bipolar disorder are disrupting your child’s daily life, seeking treatment can help them reach a higher level of functioning. At Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, Louisiana, we provide comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment to adolescents 12-17, helping them start living a healthier life.

Helping your child get treatment for bipolar disorder at Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, LA

If your child suffers from bipolar disorder, it is likely that you as a parent or guardian are experiencing a wide range of emotions, including confusion, frustration, sadness, guilt, or anger. Whatever you might be feeling, those emotions are completely valid. Helping your child get treatment for bipolar disorder can be challenging, but know that support is available. Here are some of the many ways you can help your child get bipolar disorder treatment:

• Your child’s safety is your first priority. The effects of bipolar disorder can put your child at risk for suicidal ideation or self-harm, so if you believe that your child is in imminent danger, call 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
• Educate yourself about bipolar disorder by visiting reputable websites and talking with experts. The more you understand what your child is experiencing, the better prepared you’ll be to provide valuable support.
• Ask your child about their experiences with bipolar disorder, and actively listen to them so that you can get a better understanding of what they have been going through.
• Research treatment centers that provide age-appropriate bipolar disorder treatment that might be a good fit for your child’s needs.
• Get the care you need by attending family support groups and taking time for yourself to sleep, eat regular meals, and do things that you find relaxing.

Bipolar disorder comes with complex challenges, and seeking treatment for your child is an important first step toward improved health. However, it’s just one step. Plan to be an ongoing source of support for your child as they navigate the path toward recovery.

Why consider getting bipolar disorder treatment at Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, LA

Without treatment, the symptoms of bipolar disorder typically get worse and can have a devastating impact on a child’s life. The highs and lows of bipolar disorder are vastly different from the typical ups and downs that most people experience.

When a child experiences the manic and depressed states associated with bipolar disorder, it can severely affect their relationships with their family members, friends, teachers, and those closest to them. Their behavior as a result of this disorder can severely damage their closest relationships, and they might withdraw and isolate themselves from others.

When a child suffers from bipolar disorder, they might also struggle to get their schoolwork done, or they might take on more projects than they are capable of accomplishing. In severe cases, they might experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.

But with early intervention and professional treatment for bipolar disorder, most adolescents can manage their symptoms and function at a high level. The expert staff at Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, Louisiana, provides developmentally appropriate treatment for bipolar disorder that can help your child start to heal from the mental health challenges that have disrupted their life.

Learn about the therapies used in the treatment of bipolar disorder at Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, LA

At Acadiana Treatment Center, each adolescent who receives care for bipolar disorder follows a personalized treatment plan. We develop these plans following a thorough assessment of each young person’s strengths, needs, and goals. Our focus on customized care means that no two young people will have identical experiences at our bipolar disorder treatment center in Sunset, Louisiana.

The members of your child’s treatment team will monitor their progress throughout their time with us and revise their plan as necessary to ensure that they’re receiving maximum benefit from our therapies and other services.

Depending on a host of individual factors, your child’s personalized bipolar disorder treatment plan at Acadiana Treatment Center may include the following elements:

Medical care: The Acadiana Treatment Center staff includes a medical doctor and a nurse practitioner. These experienced professionals are available to provide basic medical care for adolescents who are receiving treatment with us for bipolar disorder and other mental health challenges. Adolescents typically meet with a member of our medical staff on a weekly basis, with additional meetings available as needed. If your child develops a complex medical condition during their time with us, they will be referred to the most appropriate healthcare provider in the Sunset, Louisiana, area.

Medication management services: Certain prescription medications can help adolescents who have been struggling with bipolar disorder. If your child can benefit from this type of care, we can include medication management services in their personalized treatment plan. As is the case with all elements of your child’s care, you will be consulted and kept up to date on all medication-related decisions throughout your child’s time in treatment for bipolar disorder at our center in Sunset, Louisiana.

Individual therapy: All adolescents who are receiving care for bipolar disorder at Acadiana Treatment Center participate in regularly scheduled individual therapy sessions. These one-on-one meetings with a master’s-level therapist are excellent opportunities for adolescents to process their experiences at our center, address topics they may be hesitant to bring up in a group setting, and receive focused feedback from a member of their treatment team.

Adolescents typically take part in two individual therapy sessions per week throughout their time in treatment for bipolar disorder, and they may schedule additional sessions as needed.

Family therapy: At Acadiana Treatment Center, we understand how the entire family can be affected when an adolescent struggles with bipolar disorder. We also appreciate the vital role parents and other caregivers can play during and after a young person’s time in residential treatment for bipolar disorder. For these reasons, we provide family therapy on a regular basis, typically once per week. Depending on what’s best for you, family therapy sessions may be held in person or via a conference call. All family therapy sessions at our treatment center in Sunset, Louisiana, are led by a master’s-level therapist.

Group therapy: At Acadiana Treatment Center, groups are an essential component of residential care for adolescents who have been dealing with bipolar disorder. Groups are structured and supportive forums where young people can gain insights into important topics related to bipolar disorder treatment and recovery, learn from the experiences of other adolescents who have had similar struggles, and share their own thoughts and feelings.

Adolescents who are receiving treatment for bipolar disorder typically participate in two psychotherapy groups each week. These groups, which are led by a master’s-level therapist, are based on the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) model, with elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and other models incorporated as needed.

In addition to these psychotherapy groups, we also offer an array of educational groups on a variety of topics, such as the following:

• Coping skills
• Anger management
• Social skills
• Conflict resolution
• Setting goals
• Making decisions
• Health promotion and self-care
• Relaxation and anxiety management
• Substance abuse prevention
• Healthy recreation
• Independent living skills

Experiential therapy: Experiential therapy can be a valuable complement to traditional individual and group therapy for adolescents who are receiving residential treatment for bipolar disorder. Various forms of experiential therapy can help adolescents process their experiences, express their emotions, and view their challenges from a new perspective.

During your child’s time at Acadiana Treatment Center, they may participate in a variety of experiential therapies, including art therapy, music therapy, other expressive activities, movement therapy, games, and play therapy. Activity-based therapeutic opportunities are incorporated into our daily schedule. We also typically offer at least one supervised outing each week.

Continuing care options for bipolar disorder treatment at Acadiana Treatment Center in Sunset, LA

Residential care for bipolar disorder at Acadiana Treatment Center can be an essential part of an adolescent’s path toward improved mental health. However, we understand that your child’s recovery will continue long after their time with us has concluded.

To ensure that your child is best prepared to maintain and build on the progress they make with us, we will provide you with a detailed discharge plan prior to the end of your child’s time at our bipolar disorder treatment center in Sunset, Louisiana. As with all elements of the residential experience at Acadiana Treatment Center, this plan will be customized to reflect and address your child’s unique strengths, needs, and goals.

Some adolescents can benefit from structured step-down support after they complete our residential treatment program for bipolar disorder. If your child needs this type of follow-on care, their discharge plan can include a referral to a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP). The discharge plan may also include a referral to a trusted provider of traditional outpatient services in your area, if we determine that this type of continuing care is in your child’s best interests.

The discharge plan may also include information about peer support groups, family support services, bipolar disorder advocacy organizations, or any other resources that will be of value to your child and your family in the weeks, months, and years to come.

For additional details about our discharge planning process, to learn more about continuing care for bipolar disorder, or for answers to any other questions you may have about any aspect of bipolar disorder treatment at Acadiana Treatment Center, please contact us at your convenience. A member of our team is available 24/7 to provide you with the information you need so that you can make the best decisions for your child and your family.