Houston, TX – SUN Behavioral Health Houston, a local mental health rehab facility, recently published a blog post revealing how bipolar paranoia alters mood and episodes. Bipolar paranoia involves intense feelings of mistrust or fear and can occur in either mania, depression, or both. These can vary from mild suspicion to intense delusions. Paranoia is not a singular symptom when it comes to bipolar disorder. It is often in conjunction with specific mood episodes. Mild paranoia might include feelings of suspicion that lack the intensity and persistence of severe paranoia. Moderate paranoia involves persistent mistrust and the formation of false beliefs. These interfere with personal and professional relationships. Severe paranoia is comparable to delusions and is marked by fixed, irrational beliefs that significantly impair daily functioning.
“While paranoia and psychosis are often linked, they are distinct conditions that require differentiation, particularly when discussing presentations in bipolar disorder. Paranoia refers to feelings of suspicion and mistrust, while psychosis involves a broader loss of contact with reality, including hallucinations and delusions,” the blog post states.
In bipolar disorder, paranoia often appears as a mild symptom during mania or depression or as part of a psychotic episode. Psychosis represents a more severe mental health disruption than paranoia alone. Delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking are all key characteristics of Psychosis that are absent in paranoia by itself. However, paranoia can be a symptom of psychosis, but other symptoms must also be present. Psychosis requires immediate medical attention, while paranoia does not often result in someone needing hospitalization.
During manic episodes, people often experience an increased mood, confidence, energy, and impulsivity. These symptoms might intensify and evolve into paranoid delusions. These delusions might look like thoughts of distrust or betrayal. In depression episodes, paranoia might lead to feelings of worthlessness or being judged harshly by others. They might believe they are not good enough or others think they are lazy. Triggers for paranoia in bipolar disorder can also come from environmental concerns like stress, inadequate sleep, and life effects, or they might come from substance use, specifically stimulants like meth and cocaine. Signs of bipolar paranoia include persistent thoughts of mistrust or suspicion, feelings of fear, anxiety, or anger, and avoiding social situations, confronting perceived threats aggressively, or engaging in compulsive behaviors.
The management of bipolar paranoia involves therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. Medications can reduce the intensity of paranoia, while therapy helps people learn how to challenge and reframe irrational thoughts while learning effective coping mechanisms. Lifestyle changes that help with managing bipolar paranoia include getting enough sleep, avoiding substance use, establishing a support system, maintaining an exercise routine, and eating a balanced diet.
“Experiencing bipolar disorder paranoia is frustrating and can even be scary, but there are ways to keep these symptoms in check. Bipolar disorder treatment will give you the tools needed to understand how paranoia occurs. You will engage in group and individual therapy where you will develop coping skills and hear other perspectives. Medications may also be a part of your treatment path, and your care team will be heavily involved in your continued care. Bipolar disorder is life-long, but it doesn’t have to interfere with your life forever. Take the first step toward new beginnings,” the blog post continues.
SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs for adolescents and adults in the Houston area. For individuals who are experiencing bipolar paranoia, their crisis care center is open 24/7. This allows people undergoing a mental health crisis to get the help and stabilization they need in the moment, whether it is in the middle of the night, during the weekend, or on a holiday when many other places are closed. They also offer no-cost care assessments that allow them to work with potential patients and their doctors to determine what treatment plan will work best for them.
Visit their website or call 713-796-2273 to learn more about the services offered by SUN Behavioral Health Houston.
SUN solves unmet needs.
###
For more information about SUN Behavioral Houston, contact the company here:
SUN Behavioral Houston
Tobey Bogardus
713-715-4297
info@sunbehavioral.com
7601 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77054
