Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder marked by episodes of mania or hypomania – periods of elevated energy, mood and activity – alternating with episodes of depression. It affects roughly one in forty adults and typically emerges in the late teens or twenties. With the right combination of medication, therapy and structure, most people with bipolar disorder live full and stable lives. The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services treats bipolar disorder through outpatient programs at our Lancaster, PA Outpatient Center.
Types of bipolar disorder
- Bipolar I – at least one full manic episode lasting a week or more (or requiring hospitalization), usually with depressive episodes as well.
- Bipolar II – episodes of hypomania (a milder form of mania) and major depression. Depression is often the dominant, most disabling feature.
- Cyclothymic disorder – chronic, fluctuating mood with hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet full criteria.
- Bipolar disorder with mixed features, rapid cycling or psychotic features
Symptoms of mania and hypomania
- Elevated, expansive or irritable mood
- Decreased need for sleep – feeling rested after two or three hours
- Racing thoughts and rapid speech
- Grandiosity or inflated self-confidence
- Increased activity, goal-directed behavior or agitation
- Impulsive, risky behavior: spending sprees, reckless driving, substance use, sexual risk-taking
- In severe mania, psychosis – delusions or hallucinations
Symptoms of bipolar depression
Bipolar depression looks like major depression – low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, hopelessness and thoughts of death – but often includes more sleeping and eating, and it does not respond well to antidepressants alone, which can trigger mania. This is one reason an accurate diagnosis matters.
Bipolar disorder and substance use
More than half of people with bipolar disorder will struggle with substance use at some point. Alcohol and drugs may be used to slow racing thoughts, extend the energy of hypomania or numb depression, and they destabilize mood further, making episodes more frequent and severe. Stimulants can trigger mania; alcohol and opioids deepen depression. Integrated treatment for both conditions is essential, and it is what our programs provide.
Treatment for bipolar disorder
Levels of care
- Inpatient or residential psychiatric care – for people who are in crisis or need 24-hour supervision to stay safe.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – full-day psychiatric and therapeutic care five days a week at our Lancaster Outpatient Center, with supportive housing available. Most clients complete PHP in 8–12 weeks.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – three-hour group sessions three days a week while you live at home, typically for 5–6 weeks.
- Outpatient therapy and medication management – ongoing weekly care after you complete a structured program.
Medication and therapy together
Mood stabilizers such as lithium, lamotrigine and valproate, and certain antipsychotic medications, are the foundation of bipolar treatment. Our psychiatric providers at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services manage medication carefully, monitoring for side effects and adjusting as needed. Therapy adds what medication cannot: recognizing early warning signs of an episode, maintaining regular sleep and daily rhythms, managing stress, repairing relationships and staying committed to treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychoeducation and family sessions are core to our approach. See bipolar treatment in Pennsylvania for details on our Lancaster programs.
Frequently asked questions
Can bipolar disorder be cured?
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed effectively. Many people go years between episodes with consistent medication, sleep and support.
What if I have been misdiagnosed with depression?
It is common for bipolar II to be diagnosed as depression at first. Our psychiatric evaluation includes a careful history of mood episodes so treatment fits the actual condition.
Do I have to stop working during treatment?
Clients in IOP attend three-hour groups three days a week and usually keep working. PHP is a full-day program for people who need more support to stabilize.
Get Help for Bipolar Disorder in Lancaster, PA
The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Services offers partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for bipolar disorder at our Outpatient Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with supportive housing available at our Outpatient Residence for clients in PHP. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer questions, verify your insurance and help you decide on the right level of care. All calls are free and confidential.
