Bipolar Disorder Treatment Clinic

Learn about bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, as well as fluctuations in energy and activity levels. When an individual is experiencing these abnormal shifts in moods, he or she will find it extremely difficult to function on a daily basis. This serious mental illness can destroy relationships with friends and family, prevent the ability to hold down a job, and make it hard to succeed in school. Bipolar is a life-long disorder that requires psychiatric support from qualified mental health professionals in order to be properly managed, allowing for a brighter future.

Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, Louisiana has been helping the community for over 30 years as the most comprehensive, free-standing provider of behavioral health services. Our 54-bed hospital provides adult specialty services and extended care substance abuse treatment. At Vermilion’s treatment clinic, we recognize that the constant emotional ups and downs can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. You do not have to continue to battle the symptoms of bipolar disorder alone. The compassionate staff at Vermilion can help.

Why consider treatment for bipolar disorder at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

If not properly treated, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can hurt an individual’s job, damage interpersonal relationships, and disrupt an individual’s life in general. Much more than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder can last for days, weeks, or months. When in a manic phase, a person may quit his or her job, run up a large amount of debit, or not need much sleep. On the other hand, when in a depressed episode, the same person may be too tired to get out of bed and be consumed by self-loathing and feelings of hopelessness. If you believe that you or someone you love is suffering with bipolar disorder, don’t wait to get help. Ignoring the problem will only make things worse.

Inpatient treatment clinics are known to be extremely successful at providing people with the thorough care they need in order to treat bipolar disorder. While medication is an important part of bipolar treatment, it is usually not enough to fully control symptoms, which is why a treatment rehab that also provides a variety of therapeutic methods is going to be the most beneficial.In addition to the support that they will receive from various mental health professionals, spending time in an inpatient program also allows individuals to meet others who are struggling with similar issues, receiving additional insight and much needed support. Through a variety of different therapeutic approaches, inpatient programs can help patients learn how to manage their symptoms and better prevent future episodes.

Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems philosophy and benefits

For over 30 years, Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette has prided itself in being the most comprehensive, free-standing provider of behavioral health services in the area, providing exceptional patient care in the safest environment possible. Our multidisciplinary team of specialty clinical staff, including addiction specialists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, mental health technicians, recreational therapists, and case managers, is devoted to maintaining optimal training and development to increase competency with all of the different populations that we serve. We strive to help our patients explore and process issues and challenges and increase insight and understanding of their own mental health and chemical dependency concerns. By encouraging family involvement and enlisting community support, we aim to assist those who come to us for care in meeting their treatment goals while in the hospital and beyond.

Types of bipolar disorder treatment offered at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Upon arriving at Vermilion in Lafayette, each patient will complete an initial assessment where the staff will gather as much information about the individual as possible, such as currents needs for treatment, current level of functioning, and previous treatment history. Once this assessment is complete, it will be reviewed by one of our psychiatrists who will recommend the most appropriate level of care. If inpatient hospitalization is recommended, then the admissions process is started immediately. At Vermilion’s treatment clinic, our main therapeutic model is rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), which is suited for both acute, short-term lengths of stay, as well as extended care and treating a full spectrum of disorders, including mental health and substance abuse issues. Some of the other forms of therapy you may participate in may include the following:

Detoxification: For adults that come to Vermilion who are chemically dependent on drugs or alcohol, we provide a fully-monitored medical detox rehab. As part of the 12-step model of recovery, we implement the idea of “rational recovery,” designed to provide patients with recovery skills that can last a lifetime and prevent future struggles with addiction.

Medication management: The main form of treatment for the symptoms of bipolar disorder include prescription medications that aim at reducing the frequency of depressive, manic, or hypomanic episodes, or tackling symptoms when they appear. Each patient will meet with a psychiatrist on a regular basis in order to monitor the effectiveness of any medication that is prescribed and to make any necessary changes.

Group therapy: Group therapy is the main treatment method used at Vermilion for our inpatient treatment clinic. A variety of groups are held on a daily basis and some of the most common topics we cover include mental illness education, anger management, conflict resolution, developing effective communication skills and appropriate boundaries, goal-setting, problem-solving, medication education, and holistic wellness.

Individual therapy: Individual counseling sessions are held on an as-needed basis and allow patients the opportunity to meet one-on-one with their therapist in order to discuss any specific concerns or struggles that they are facing.

Family therapy: We believe that positive changes are initiated through the family unit as a whole, which is why we strongly encourage the family members of our patients to actively participate throughout the entire therapeutic process. Family therapy sessions are designed to address issues that affect the entire family and begin the process of identifying solutions. We also offer parents and caregivers education on mental illness and medication management so that they can effectively help their loved one.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This form of therapy is designed to help people create a rich and meaningful life, while developing the skills needed to effectively handle the pain and stress that comes with life’s experiences.

In order to provide a fully comprehensive therapeutic experience, Vermilion’s treatment clinic also provides the following:

• Experiential therapies
• Expressive therapies
• Recreation therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for bipolar disorder

At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA, we believe that discharge planning is critical in ensuring that a patient is discharged into the most supportive environment possible to promote continuity of care and quality of life, maximize stabilization, and minimize the need of for re-hospitalization. Social services works with the treatment team to develop a discharge plan for each patient that includes, at a minimum, psychiatric and mental health aftercare services. Depending upon patient needs, the discharge plan may also include referrals to inpatient services, community resources, and support groups. Discharge plans are created based upon patient needs, resources, preferences, geographic location of residence, appropriate level of aftercare, and family involvement.