Bipolar disorder treatment and support in the South East of England
Speak to a trained adviser today, in confidence.
Get help for bipolar disorder at Priory
Priory has been helping to treat bipolar disorder for many years. Formerly known as ‘manic depression’, bipolar disorder typically causes someone to experience mood swings. These can range from energetic highs (mania) to depressive lows (depression), and episodes may last from a number of weeks to many months.
Bipolar disorder support near you
Effective, tailored treatment is available for bipolar disorder, which can help you to cope with your mania and depression. Getting the right treatment can make a huge difference to your quality of life.
Our Priory sites in the South East of England specialise in the treatment of bipolar disorder. We can offer both outpatient therapy and tailored inpatient treatment at Priory Hospital Ticehurst House and Priory Hospital Hayes Grove. Our leading UK bipolar disorder specialists are committed to providing expert treatment, helping you to make a strong recovery.
You can overcome bipolar disorder
You don't have to struggle with bipolar disorder. When you receive treatment with us, you'll benefit from:
- Expert advice on bipolar disorder and mental health from a Priory specialist
- Therapy sessions to suit your work and commitments
- Complete discretion and confidentiality
- A recommended treatment programme, based on your personal situation
- Access to extensive experience providing the highest quality mental healthcare
You can overcome bipolar disorder
Effective bipolar disorder treatment can reduce your symptoms and help you to achieve positive mental wellbeing. If you feel like your bipolar disorder has taken over your life, you can rest assured that our experienced mental health professionals can help you resolve the factors contributing to your bipolar disorder.
Priory can help you
Our trained advisers are available to speak with you in confidence and provide guidance on your concerns and options for treatment. Whether you're interested in learning more about our treatment centers, services, or costs, our team can provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
- Speak to a trained adviser today, in confidence
- Discuss your concerns and treatment options
- Hear about our treatment centres and costs
- Gain fast access to a therapist
Further information
What causes bipolar disorder?
Research shows there are a number of factors which may increase the likelihood of you struggling with bipolar disorder.
Genes
If a member of your immediate family has bipolar disorder, then you are 5 to 10 times more likely to develop it yourself, compared to someone with no family history of bipolar disorder. However, while this suggests there is a link between family history and bipolar disorder, it doesn’t necessarily mean this is the only cause.
Brain chemicals
People with bipolar disorder are believed to have an uneven balance of certain chemicals in the brain, especially those that regulate mood and behaviour. Studies have shown that brain chemistry and bipolar disorder are linked. Stress and other social influences during your life may also play a part in affecting your brain’s ability to maintain mood effectively.
Environmental factors
If you go through something particularly stressful, this may also lead you to develop bipolar disorder. While stressful events alone may not be enough to trigger bipolar disorder, when this is coupled with other influences, such as genes and brain chemistry, it can lead to the disorder.
Types of bipolar disorder
There are four types of bipolar disorder, which can influence how frequent or severe your ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ are. These include:
Bipolar 1
If you have experienced an episode of mania lasting longer than one week, or one that has been so severe that you required hospitalisation, you may have bipolar I. People often find that their depressive episodes are shorter or less intense with bipolar 1, but their mania is more severe.
Bipolar 2
You may be diagnosed with bipolar type 2 if you have regular episodes of depression, with milder manic episodes. Less severe mania is know as hypomania.
Rapid cycling bipolar
Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is diagnosed when you have had more than four mood swings in one year. These might be depressive episodes, manic/hypomanic episodes, or a mixture of the two. Your episodes may last for months, weeks or days at a time, and there may be short periods in between episodes where your mood is stable.
Cyclothymia
You may receive a diagnosis of cyclothymia if you have experienced both depressive and hypomanic episodes over the course of two years, but these aren't severe enough to be diagnosed as bipolar 1 or 2. The mood swings that you experience as part of cyclothymia can last longer than in other types of bipolar disorder. Cyclothymia can also develop into full blown bipolar disorder.
Treatment for bipolar disorder
For many people, bipolar disorder can have a negative impact on all areas of their life. At Priory, we can provide you with tailored bipolar disorder therapy, treatment and counselling.
Counselling for bipolar disorder
Counselling for bipolar disorder can take place either as an outpatient, inpatient, or as part of our day care programme. We can also offer online therapy for bipolar disorder. You will be able to discuss which option is best for you with one of our specialists.
There are lots of different types of counselling for bipolar disorder, including:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- 1:1 therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Bipolar disorder medication
Outpatient treatment
During outpatient treatment for bipolar disorder, you will come to one of our hospitals or wellbeing centres for a set number of hourly sessions with a consultant or therapist. These usually happen on a weekly basis.
This type of treatment is useful if you don’t need more intensive treatment for your bipolar disorder and it also means you can attend flexible appointments at a time and place that’s convenient for you. You can start outpatient therapy straightaway or this can be used as a step-down from more intensive treatment, if needed.
Inpatient treatment
During inpatient treatment, you’ll stay at one of our hospitals on a residential basis and receive intensive treatment for your bipolar disorder.
This type of treatment is helpful when it comes to treating more severe cases of bipolar disorder. This is because it gives you the chance to spend some time away from your day-to-day life in order to remove any negative influences that may be making your bipolar disorder worse. It’s also very structured and provides round-the-clock care, helping you to get well.
The thought of coming into hospital can be daunting at first. However, this type of treatment can have a positive impact on your quality of life. It means you have the time, care and attention you need to address your bipolar disorder and take steps towards a healthy future.
Day care
You can also receive bipolar disorder treatment as part of our day care programme. During day care, you will come to one of our Priory sites for a certain number of days each week, where you will take part in therapy.
However, unlike inpatient treatment, you won’t stay at the hospital overnight but will go home following a day of treatment. Day care can be used as a step-down from inpatient treatment or a step-up from outpatient treatment, if needed.
Day care is useful if you don’t need 24-hour support for your bipolar disorder, but still need some level of structured care.
Online therapy
We also provide online therapy for bipolar disorder, meaning you can access the support you need from the comfort of your own home and at a time that's convenient for you.
Priory services in your region
Our sites across the UK provide specialist treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Our regional locations include:
