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Psychologist for Bipolar Disorder
Who is a Psychologist?
A psychologist is a mental health professional trained in various therapeutic modalities. These approaches help address and treat cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral processes for those with mental health disorders.
They are not only qualified to handle serious mental health conditions but are also equipped to help those going through tough times in general.
Psychologists offer their services through private practice or in other settings (schools, prisons, hospitals, rehabilitation centers). By providing counseling and psychotherapy, the professional can help the individual cope and improve their well-being.
What Are the Qualifications of Psychologists for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder psychologists spend years in training and specialization. With an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in psychology, they may pursue counseling or general psychology. However, some tend to delve deeper by completing Ph.D. or PSY.D. to gain the licensure of a clinical psychologist.
In addition to the basic levels of training, they may also choose to specialize in specific areas of psychotherapy, psychopathology, and more.
What Does a Bipolar Disorder Psychologist Do?
A psychologist for bipolar disorder helps in diagnosing and treating the condition. The treatment plan for bipolar disorder may be created by both the psychiatrist and the psychologist. This is mainly done to gain a holistic understanding of the symptoms that need to be managed.
Once the diagnosis has been made, the psychologist may use different psychotherapeutic modalities to address bipolar disorder. Some of the approaches include behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, and social rhythm therapy, in both individual and group settings.
Further, the psychologist will also educate the client on basic lifestyle practices that can help manage the triggers and shifts in mood.
Difference Between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist & Counsellor?
Most people tend to use the terms psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors synonymously. Although they work towards the same goal and are part of a larger multidisciplinary unit, their roles when it comes to treating the client vary.
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. With a background in medicine, they can prescribe medications to help aid recovery.
A psychologist has expertise and experience in treating various general and specific mental health conditions, without the provision of prescribing medications.
Finally, a therapist and counselor follow the same responsibilities of a psychologist but vary in terms of addressing general rather than specific issues that may or not may be caused by an underlying psychiatric condition. They may also work with the family and other units to ensure a hassle-free recovery.
What Diseases Are Treated by a Psychologist?
Being trained in specific forms of psychotherapy, a psychologist can treat a wide range of conditions including:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders: This includes different types of disorders faced by children during the developmental phase. Common ones include global developmental delay, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, etc.
- Mood disorders: These conditions include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, etc.
- Psychotic disorders: Schizophrenia, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, and more fall under this umbrella term. Such disorders may or may not be substance induced.
- Personality disorders: Narcissistic, histrionic, schizoid, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders signify this class.
- Substance abuse disorder: Addiction to alcohol, nicotine, hallucinogens, and more are indicative of this condition.
- Impulse-control disorders: In this class of disorders, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and more are included. They involve persistent defiant and impulsive behavior seen among children.
What to Expect During an Appointment With a Psychologist?
As with any other healthcare professional, a psychologist will first address the client’s presenting concerns. To gain a deeper understanding of the nature of such concerns and their root cause, they may administer particular psychometric tests that assess mood, personality characteristics, cognitive functioning, etc.
Further, the psychologist may require information associated with a medical history, family history, occupation, education, and more. With the information acquired, they will discuss possible treatment options to help start the journey toward recovery.
As sessions progress, the psychologist will work in collaboration with the client to determine a set of coping strategies that can help them manage the symptoms effectively.
When to See a Psychologist for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by fluctuating highs (mania) and lows (depression) in mood. Now, there is a multitude of reasons that may indicate the need to seek assistance from a bipolar disorder psychologist. These include
Depressive episodes:
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Social withdrawal
- Sleep and appetite disturbances
Manic episodes:
- Irritability
- Distractibility
- Decreased need for sleep
- High energy
- Impulsivity
If these symptoms are present, we recommend seeking professional help immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention is a step in the right direction.
Why Should an Individual Consult a Bipolar Disorder Psychologist?
Consulting a psychologist for bipolar disorder can go a long way in recognizing and overcoming the condition. A consultation can be done directly with the expert or through a referral made by a psychiatrist.
Post-diagnosis, the psychologist and client will work collaboratively to design a treatment plan that may include a combination of different psychotherapeutic techniques. For bipolar disorder, the main approaches used include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and more.
With these approaches and training in basic lifestyle practices, the client can learn to recognize, manage, and overcome the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
How Often Does Someone Need to Visit a Bipolar Disorder Psychologist?
The frequency of sessions with a psychologist for bipolar disorder varies based on the severity of the condition. For those with severe fluctuations in mood, hospitalization or rehabilitation may also be recommended.
How to Find the Best Bipolar Disorder Psychologist Near You?
You can refer to multiple sources to find the best psychologist for bipolar disorder. Clinics, mental health applications, referrals, social media, and more can also make reaching out to a mental health professional a lot easier. Further, 24/7 helplines can also be used to in case book an appointment or for emergencies.
During this process of finding a psychologist, you may want to shift between practitioners till you find a professional that is the right fit for you. This is entirely valid as your comfort and safety are of utmost importance.
Why Cadabams?
With over three decades of experience, Cadabams strives to deliver quality mental health care for all.
Regardless of the psychiatric condition, our experts trained in the latest treatment modalities aim to design customizable and holistic treatment plans that help manage symptoms while also improving your overall well-being.
Facilities & Services within Cadabams.
Our experts offer multiple treatment options that cater to your needs. These include:
- Outpatient services: Our expert professionals offer consultations for a wide range of mental health disorders.
- Rehabilitation: In-patient care that involves a holistic treatment approach while collaborating with fellow residents.
- Emergency care: Hospitalization in the case of emergencies involves round-the-clock supervision and care.
Confidentiality.
The foundation of any professional-client relationship is trust. This refers to maintaining confidentiality. Our experts are held to the highest standards of confidentiality, that is, they are prohibited from sharing personal information about the client unless and until it is needed. For instance, if the condition can cause serious and irreversible harm to themselves or those around them.
FAQs
Can Psychologists Cure Bipolar Disorder?
Various treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy can be used to manage and overcome bipolar disorder.
With psychoeducation, they can complete their education and hold jobs, allowing them to be independent.
Can Psychologists Do Counseling?
Psychologists are trained in different therapeutic techniques including counseling skills. Talk therapy, group therapy, and more are used to address emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues that individuals with bipolar disorder face.
Are All Mental Disorders Treated by Psychologists?
Psychologists are highly qualified in treating a wide range of mental illnesses. These include depression, anxiety, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, etc.
However, for severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia, they work with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, counselors, family therapists, and more to aid in a smooth recovery.
How Does a Psychologist Treat Bipolar Disorder?
Psychologists play a major role in diagnosing and treating the symptoms of bipolar disorder. With training in various psychotherapy modalities, psychologists focus on gaining insight into the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of the condition.
In addition to this, they work collaboratively with the client to determine coping strategies that cater to their needs and promote long-term recovery.
How Does a Psychologist Diagnose Bipolar Disorder?
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be done by a psychologist. However, in most cases, it involves the input of a psychiatrist as well.
Through mood charting, medical history, family history, current concerns, and psychological assessments, the expert gains insight into the condition and creates a comprehensive diagnosis.
How to Consult a Bipolar Disorder Psychologist Online?
With various websites and mental health applications providing access to psychologists for bipolar disorder, online consultation has been made more convenient.
Online video consultation will allow you to address your concerns in the comfort of your home. However, it is highly recommended to attend an offline session if it is your first time seeking psychotherapy.
What Are Some Subspecialties of Psychology?
The skills of a psychologist are not limited to a clinical setting. With years of training and expertise, they can provide services across other settings and address different concerns. Here are some of the subspecialties within the field:
- Health Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
