Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare - 36

Path to
Wellness

How is it diagnosed?

For Solatano, bipolar disorder is a contributing factor
in both the end of his marriage and the loss of his job
as a substitute teacher. People with bipolar disorder
face similar challenges in real life.
"It's common to experience problems in work,
social and family relationships due to extreme mood
states," Miklowitz explains. "To complicate things
further, the moods of people with bipolar disorder are
negatively affected by stress in their relationships."
Though treatments can help minimize these problems, they don't erase them. Bipolar individuals,
along with their employers, co-workers and the people who care about them, should educate themselves
and make adjustments accordingly. Changes could
include, for example, a more flexible work schedule
to allow for adequate sleep and counseling sessions.

In Silver Linings Playbook, Solatano's diagnosis comes after a particularly violent
altercation during which he nearly beats someone to
death. His diagnosis lets him skip jail time but puts
him in a mental institution for eight months.
For most people, it's not a single event that precedes a diagnosis. "Most people seek the help of a
mental health professional after experiencing symptoms for an average of 10 years before getting a diagnosis," Miklowitz explains.
To be diagnosed as bipolar, individuals must
undergo a physical examination and blood tests to
rule out other problems that could be causing symptoms. Next, a psychological evaluation is performed,
usually along with analysis of moods and sleep patterns, to determine whether the person meets the
criteria for a diagnosis.

CAll

Do you experience feelings of overwhelming
hopelessness or negative thinking? Are you
more irritable, short-tempered or aggressive
than usual? These may be signs of manicdepressive or bipolar disorder.
St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago
offers compassionate care on two inpatient
treatment units: a Mood Disorder Unit and
an Intensive Treatment Unit. A treatment
day consists of individual and group psychotherapy, medication management, family support sessions, recreational therapy
and spiritual care as well as other alternative therapies including art therapy, yoga
and more.
Recreational therapist Ann Bobos directs
group therapy and incorporates a variety
of approaches.
"We do group work that includes activities on the Wii, journaling, reading activities,
art and other projects to help patients transition back home," Bobos says.
Patients are prepared for the outside
world so they can continue on their healing
journey through the outpatient centers in
Schererville or East Chicago.
Services are available in English
and Spanish.

How does bipolar
disorder affect a
person's life?

Worried About Yourself
or a Loved One?

If you or someone you love is bipolar,
St. Catherine Hospital Centers for Mental
Wellness can help. There are two locations
for outpatient support: Schererville (6225 W.
Lincoln Highway) and East Chicago (4321 Fir
St., hospital 3rd floor). Call 219-392-7025.

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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare

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