What's serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome, or serotonin toxicity, is an excess of serotonin in the body.

How do you get serotonin syndrome?

Generally, mild and more severe cases of serotonin syndrome is caused by taking too much medication (or a combination of medications) that alter serotonin levels. For example, taking a combination of antidepressants, or taking antidpressants with pain pills may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

How common is serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome is not often reported. However, this condition is thought to be commonly overlooked and may therefore be underdiagnosed.

How do you know if you have serotonin syndrome?

Symptoms of mild serotonin symptoms are easy to miss, so it is important to be aware of the medications that can cause this condition. In general, symptoms may include tremors or involuntary muscle movements, excessive sweating, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, pupil dilation, fever, anxiety, confusion, and ultimately, seizures.

How long does serotonin syndrome last?

The length of serotonin syndrome depends on the severity of the case. Mild serotonin syndrome will resolve on its own within a few days as long as the medication causing the problems is stopped. More severe cases will require medical attention and may take a week or longer to resolve.

What is a co-occurring disorder?

A co-occurring disorder is a condition that exists secondarily to another major health issue. If we use this co-occurring disorders definition to look at mental illness and substance abuse, we can see that turning to drugs or alcohol, which then results in addiction, often happens simultaneously when a patient also has mental health concerns. Since one issue influences and worsens the other, we would call these co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders must be treated together through a specialized program to ensure full recovery.

Why is drug addiction considered a disease?

As with any disease, drug addiction is classified as such because it is a condition that can cause serious and numerous health complications. Additionally, drug addiction is considered a disease because it cannot simply go away on its own—instead, it needs to be treated by experts in the field.

Is alcoholism a mental illness?

Yes. According to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a diagnosable mental illness that occurs in people who experience at least two of the 11 total criteria for this disorder. In fact, alcohol and mental illness have always been connected. Alcohol use can lead to mental health symptoms, and experiencing mental health distress without treatment can lead people to use alcohol as a way to “cope.”

What is a co-occurring disorder?

A co-occurring disorder is when you experience a mental health condition alongside another. If you have depression and anxiety, these would be co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders can be challenging to diagnose and end up putting people at a greater risk for developing addiction struggles as well.

Is addiction a mental illness?

Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol is actually a mental illness. This means that addiction is something that greatly impacts your day-to-day life. Additionally, the fact that addiction is a mental health concern proves that it cannot go away on its own—instead, your ability to heal from addiction and any other mental health concerns relies on professional treatment.

What does dual diagnosis mean in mental health?

When it comes to mental health, dual diagnosis indicates that there is a mental health concern on top of a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis is meant to help people who need treatment for mental health conditions as well as addiction.

What is dual diagnosis?

Simply put, the dual diagnosis definition is that a patient has two or more diagnoses that require treatment. For example, struggling with addiction as well as anxiety would be a dual disorder. With dual diagnosis treatment, you will have the opportunity to heal from both conditions in addition to learning valuable skills to use if you experience symptoms in the future.

What are barriers to mental health care?

Apart from challenges in getting access to care as well as navigating insurance for mental health treatment, the biggest barrier to mental health care is a lack of mental health awareness. Mental health awareness is essential in understanding symptoms of different mental illnesses and actually finding treatment to make your life happier and healthier.

What are evidence-based practices in mental health care?

Evidence-based practices are approaches to mental health care that are scientifically supported and proven to help treat specific disorders and illnesses, such as addiction. Port St. Lucie uses evidence-based practices to provide the best care possible for all of our patients.

How do I take care of my mental health?

The best way to take care of your mental health is to receive professional help through treatments for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Professional programs, like those at Port St. Lucie Hospital, give you access to evidence-based treatments that are proven to help you learn the skills you need to manage various mental health conditions.

Why care about mental health?

As with your overall health, mental health influences the way that you function from day to day. This is why it is so important to care about mental health. If you do not take care of your mental health, you could find it challenging to work, build healthy relationships, and even leave your home.

Can you visit someone who is Baker Acted?

Yes, unless having visitors will be harmful to the person being treated. If a facility wants to restrict visitors from a patient, they must file a written notice documenting the refusal of visitation.

How do you Baker Act a minor in Florida?

Baker Acts must be imposed by the courts or law enforcement, or medical/mental health professionals. If a parent wants to have their child Baker Acted, they should petition the Clerk of Court or contact the police.

Do you call 911 to Baker Act someone?

If a person is actively endangering themself or others while showing symptoms of mental illness then the police can be called to manage the situation. Alternatively, a request can be turned into the court to ask that an individual is mentally evaluated due to safety concerns.

Can you Baker Act yourself?

Yes, a Baker Act can be voluntary. However, to willingly Baker Act yourself you must be considered capable of consenting to treatment. To Baker Act yourself, visit an Emergency Room and describe your symptoms to medical professionals. If necessary, the medical staff will request the Baker Act.

What happens after a Baker Act?

When a person is Baker Acted in Florida they are taken to a mental health hospital that is also a Baker Act receiving facility. A mental evaluation must be performed within 72 hours. After 72 hours if deemed mentally stable the person will be released. If further treatment is mandated, the individual can be admitted to a mental health facility for up to six months.

What does it take to Baker Act someone in Florida?

To be Backer Acted in Florida a person must meet certain criteria. The individual must be showing signs of mental illness, a failure to understand why an evaluation may be needed, and/or posing a threat to themselves or others. Usually, a Baker Act is used in response to a mental health emergency. A Baker Act can be started by medical professionals, the court system, and law enforcement.

What does Baker Acted mean?

Usually, being Baker Acted means that a person was admitted to a mental health hospital to be mentally assessed. The time a person can be held during the Baker Act is 72 hours.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

Yes, we do take insurance, give us a call for a free insurance verification.

HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT LAST?

Treatment can vary from a few days to months. Research shows that the longer a person remains in treatment, the greater the likelihood that long-term recovery will result. As with most aspects of treatment (such as therapy types and program structures), determining ideal length of stay involves an analysis of a number of personal factors.

WHAT TYPES OF THERAPIES ARE USED IN TREATMENT?

Please see our treatments under Programs and Services here

WILL MY FAMILY BE INVOLVED IN MY TREATMENT?

Family involvement is an integral component of an effective treatment program. Though every recovery experience is unique and personal, most effective treatment programs will encourage strong family involvement.

WHAT ARE THE VISITING HOURS AT PORT ST LUCIE HOSPITAL?

Behavioral Services visiting hours, Wed 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Sat 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm, Sunday 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction: What You Need To Know - Port St. Lucie Hospital, Inc.

Bipolar disorder affects more than 5 million Americans each year. Despite its prevalence, bipolar disorder is still widely misunderstood. This mood disorder can cause mood swings, but also significant shifts in cognition, behavior, and emotions. Bipolar disorder can cause widespread consequences, including professional and personal conflicts, increased risk of suicide, and addiction. In this article, we’ll cover the relationship between bipolar disorder and addiction, background on the condition and the different treatment options available to you.

Contents

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

As with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and affective disorders, bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) is both a disorder and umbrella term referring to a collection of different conditions. People with bipolar disorder cycle through manic and depressed states in a short period of time— usually a few days or weeks.

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

During manic episodes, you may feel boundless, uncontrollable energy accompanied by anxiety, sleep disturbances, and irritability. On the other hand, depressive episodes may cause you to feel lethargy, hopelessness, disinterest in activities, sleepy, and suicidal. In order for a doctor to diagnose you with this condition, you must suffer from at least one manic episode in a given period of time. Although you don’t need to have experienced a depressive episode, it is extremely common to have them as well.

What Are The Types of Bipolar Disorder?

There are several different subsets of bipolar disorder. However, thinking about this condition as a “bipolar spectrum” can be helpful for people who don’t feel like they fit into a particular diagnosis. Knowing the major classifications of the condition can still help you. The major types of bipolar disorder include:

Bipolar I Disorder

People with a Bipolar Disorder Type 1 (Bipolar I) diagnosis have experienced at least one manic episode. During these periods of extremely high energy, they may engage in reckless behaviors that are dangerous to themselves and those around them. In severe cases, they may even suffer from psychotic symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations that require hospitalization.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar Disorder Type 2 (Bipolar II) is characterized by hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is a lower stage of a manic episode, where people experience increased energy levels, optimism, and even happiness. Because of these “positive” symptoms, individuals may not recognize they are suffering from bipolar disorder. People with bipolar II also tend to experience depressive episodes and face anxiety, irritability, or other problems that require medical attention.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

Patients with bipolar disorder suffer from shifts in mood states. For those with rapid cycling bipolar disorder, these episodes happen more quickly—often within a week or two. This can cause a great disruption in everyday activities.

Furthermore, cycling through episodes that quickly may also be a sign of a personality disorder or other serious mental illness. In either case, be sure to seek medical attention immediately. Oftentimes, individuals with rapid cycling bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for dangerous behavior.

These are just three of the main types of bipolar disorder. Other common conditions include cyclothymic disorder and mixed episode bipolar disorder.

What Is the Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse?

Generally speaking, the link between mental illness and substance use disorder is very strong. However, those with bipolar disorder may have even higher rates of addiction than those with other mental health conditions. Nearly 40% of patients with bipolar I suffer from alcohol or drugs abuse.

Overall, there is a tendency for patients to self-medicate in order to alleviate their pain from the disorder. Common symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

insomnia
depression
anxiety
pain

Consequently, many people turn to drugs and alcohol to reduce discomfort. However, drug and alcohol abuse may actually trigger depressive and manic episodes. This can create a vicious downward cycle.

Age and gender also impact the development of addiction. For example, young men have a higher likelihood of engaging in substance abuse and reckless behaviors compared to other populations. Finally, brain chemistry may also play a role. People with abnormal dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels may be more likely to develop a co-occurring disorder.

Co-occurring drug or alcohol addiction only magnifies the negative outcomes of bipolar disorder. For this reason, individuals should seek a combination of therapies that targeting both bipolar disorder and addiction.

What Are the Warning Signs?

One dangerous aspect of co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction is that can worsen the most intense aspects of both conditions. Individuals suffering from both bipolar and substance use disorder may:

Experience more dramatic mood shifts
Engage in reckless and dangerous behaviors
Have emotional and violent outbursts
Alternate more rapidly between mood states
Be at a higher risk for suicide

However, these warning signs can lead to more severe symptoms. If you or someone you care about suffers from bipolar disorder, you should know the signs of drug and alcohol abuse.

What Is the Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction?

In the past, co-occurring disorders were usually treated separately. Oftentimes, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder were sent to mental health facilities. Meanwhile, those addicted to drugs or alcohol were sent to rehab centers. Unfortunately, this separation led to higher rates of relapse and less effective treatment strategies.

Nowadays, clinicians treat both conditions simultaneously through the process of “integrated treatment.” During integrated treatment, your care involves numerous components designed to help address your co-occurring disorders. This generally involves a combination of individual and group therapy, family counseling, medical detox, and other strategies. Usually, integrated treatment includes the following features:

Interdisciplinary treatment through a care team, including mental health professionals, social workers, nurses, support staff, and others
Centralized care in a single facility
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on managing emotions and reducing substance abuse
Medication to regulate mood states caused by bipolar disorder
Relapse prevention strategies
Peer support from others battling co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction

Substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be treated together. This type of care is called dual diagnosis. Without comprehensive care, there is a much higher chance of relapse. Ultimately, patients need a way to be equipped with many skills. This includes methods to manage their emotions and triggers, as well as thrive in any environment.

The Dual Diagnosis Therapeutical Approach

Dual diagnosis patients need to learn how to regulate their emotions to manage their significant mood shifts. One of the key tools is group therapy. Here, patients can learn about common triggers and risk factors in an open, supportive environment.

Moreover, clinicians often tailor either a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic or a dialectical behavioral therapeutic approach. These different methods help patients understand what’s happening to them in better detail and give ways to move forward. Many patients may also be prescribed mood-stabilizing medication or antidepressants to provide additional support for their recovery.

Overcoming Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

Co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction are extremely serious. Many of these individuals may engage in dangerous behaviors, act violent, and have severe disruptions in their everyday lives. However, through dual diagnosis treatment, it is possible to overcome both conditions and to get the necessary help. If you or a loved one are suffering from co-occurring disorders, make sure to seek guidance from a mental health professional right away.

We Can Help You

Port St. Lucie Hospital specializes in mental health services and is located on 20 acres near the beautiful Savannas Preserve. If you or one of your loved ones is struggling with a mental health disorder, we can help. Our 24-hour mental health services are provided by licensed professionals in various disciplines. We tailor our programs to our patient’s needs and will help you every step of the way.

We welcome you to our facility. From support groups to individual therapy treatment options, we are here to fight the battle with you. Reach out to us online today. You can also call us at (772) 238-7734.

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction: What You Need To Know

What Is Bipolar Disorder?