OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and bipolar disorder are two mental health conditions that share several similar symptoms. From symptoms of feeling anxious to an inability to focus, sometimes it can be difficult to identify whether you are struggling with OCD, bipolar disorder, or both. In this article, you’ll learn more about can you have OCD and bipolar disorder, and more below.
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What is OCD?
Before exploring the question can you have OCD and bipolar disorder, it is essential to understand what each condition is. OCD is a condition where an individual experiences obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are typically intrusive thought patterns that can cause great stress and anxiety in an individual’s life.
For example, obsessive thinking can include constantly worrying about having everything perfectly arranged in your home or worrying whether you touch anything in public, it will get you sick.
Meanwhile, compulsions include repetitive acts that are done out of anxiety, such as checking your locks 10 times before leaving your home or washing your hands a certain number of times each time you wash them.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which an individual experiences highs and lows that last for weeks or months on end. Everyone has a bad day from time to time; however, if you notice that you experience a depressive episode for weeks or months on end and then experience a significant shift and constantly feel high energy and elevated, you may be struggling with bipolar disorder.
Typically, bipolar disorder is marked by a series of manic and depressive episodes. Common signs of manic episodes include feeling high energy without needing much sleep, racing thoughts, engaging in riskier behavior, and having an overall more energized/elevated mood. Meanwhile, depressive episodes are when you have less energy and struggle with feelings of unworthiness, sadness, and hopelessness.
Can you have both OCD and bipolar disorder?
Now that you know more about both OCD and bipolar disorder, it is important to understand that you can have both OCD and bipolar disorder at the same time. Both conditions can co-exist at the same time, and left untreated, can significantly impair your overall mental health and quality of life for the worse.
It can be difficult to recognize whether you are struggling with OCD, bipolar disorder, or both conditions at the same time. This is why it is essential to seek a professional diagnosis so that you can not only get a proper diagnosis, but also start working toward a treatment plan to effectively manage your symptoms.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about the question “can you have OCD and bipolar disorder”. The answer is yes, you can have both conditions at the same time. However, it is important to get a professional diagnosis from someone who can assess your symptoms. If you or someone you know is struggling with an unresolved mental health condition, it is critical to understand that help is available and you don’t have to fight your condition in silence.
At Multi Center Recovery, our compassionate team is committed to helping you safely break free from the chains of addiction once and for all. No more suffering in silence with your condition. We understand each patient’s recovery journey is unique. This is why we provide a wide range of treatment programs and services.
Ready to begin your recovery journey? Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for bipolar disorder?
There are a wide range of treatments available to help effectively manage your bipolar disorder symptoms. Some common treatment options for bipolar disorder include medications and talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). There are also a wide variety of healthy lifestyle habits you can make to better manage your symptoms, such as joining a support group, getting consistent quality sleep each night, eliminating your alcohol intake, improving your diet, and more.
Not all patients will respond the same to the same treatments. This is why it is important when looking for a treatment center to find a facility that offers a wide range of treatments and personalized treatment plans.
How can I treat my OCD symptoms?
Left untreated, your OCD symptoms can harm your overall quality of life and mental well-being. There are a number of both therapies and medications for severe cases that can help you improve your symptoms. From talk therapy like CBT to exposure therapy, these treatments allow you the ability to better understand and recognize your negative thought patterns and behaviors so that you can work toward changing them for the better.
In particular, exposure therapy can be a great way for your brain to experience what happens when it doesn’t go through a compulsion. For instance, if you have a compulsion of needing to check a lock a certain number of times before leaving your house each time, exposure therapy can help you with locking your home once and then dealing with the anxiety in a healthy manner.
Why should I seek professional treatment for my mental illness?
Whether you are struggling with OCD, bipolar disorder, or some other form of mental illness, it is important to consider seeking professional treatment. Left untreated, a mental illness can not only hurt your mental well-being and quality of life, but it can also interfere with other areas of your life as well from your relationships to your career, finances, and more.
It can be daunting asking for help, especially when it comes to talking about your mental health battles. However, our team at Multi Center Recovery is here to help you every step of the way along your recovery journey. We understand that each patient is uniquely different. That is why we provide a wide range of treatment options so you can receive the best possible care for your unique recovery needs.
