What is Bipoloar Disorder?

“Always remember that although bipolar disorder is frustrating and destructive, it is not purposeful . . .” —Julie Fast
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Bipolar disorder, or BPD (formerly called manic depression), is a mood disorder. People living with BPD experience extreme high and low moods ranging overly confident and energetic to severely depressed and detached. In between such episodes, a person may experience a period of normal, level moods, but eventually, the extreme mood cycles return.

Those with BPD often cannot hold jobs, may need financial and emotional support by family members, some become homeless. Their erratic behavior and emotional abusiveness can wear out loved ones, employers, and friends.  Everyone who has relationship with a person with bipolar disorder is affected.

People with BPD don’t mean to be destructive to themselves or other people. It’s the nature of the illness; outrageous behaviors and extreme mood shifts are not “on purpose.”

Am I living with BPD?

Bipolar disorder is not easily diagnosed. Conditions that express similar symptoms are ADHD, addiction, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and anger management deficit.

I have 15 years of experience working specifically with bipolar disorder and will conduct a thorough diagnosis before we discuss treatment options. These questions can help you decide if you may benefit from diagnosis and treatment:
  • Have you been on antidepressants? If so, did your mood rise or fall?
  • Do family and friends comment on your extreme behaviors and moods?
  • Do you often feel highly anxious and overwhelmed?
  • Do you lack impulse control and boundaries?
  • Do you ever feel as if you have electricity running through your veins?
  • Does time go by that you can’t account for?
  • Do you ever act totally irrational, but you can’t stop it?
  • Are you ever so angry that you put yourself and others in harm’s way?  (Driving with “road rage,” being aggressive, hitting someone, or being verbally abusive?)
  • Do you ever feel hyper-sexual and behave in a sexually inappropriate way?
  • Do you go on shopping binges or overspend on items you don’t need?
  • Do you ever feel suicidal or so depressed you can hardly move with no apparent life trigger (death, divorce, job loss?
  • Do you rely on drinking, marijuana, or pills to mellow out and feel calm?
  • Have you ever been hospitalized for severe depression or out-of-control behavior?
  • Do other family members exhibit extreme moods and behaviors? 
  • Have close blood relatives been diagnosed with BPD?
  • Has a health care professional ever suggested you might be bipolar?

There is help for you

Getting treatment for this disorder is essential to leading a productive and satisfying life. Studies show that people do best in managing their bipolar illness when they maintain a 2-pronged therapeutic approach:
  1. Proper medication management*
  2. Psychotherapy
*Though medications are typically required, they do not cure BPD.

Many people come into treatment with a trail of burned-out loved ones, broken friendships, lost jobs, DUI’s, and more.

Help for loved ones

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Loved ones—spouses, family, and friends—are greatly affected by bipolar illness, too.  The up-and-down moods and erratic behaviors impact everyone
  • Do you ever feel bullied by your loved one?
  • Do you feel confused by wide mood swings and extreme sensitivities?
  • Do you get blamed, overlooked, taken for granted?
  • Do you wonder what is wrong with you for putting up with the “craziness?”
  • Do you ever feel like you are on the verge of leaving your relationship because of these behaviors?
While bipolar behavior is not “purposeful,” when you are close to someone with BPD, it certainly can feel “on purpose” and deeply hurtful. It helps to know that people with BPD hate the illness just as much as those around them.

Treatment is far more successful when loved ones are educated about BPD and how to deal with the complex issues involved.

I provide effective therapy not just for those with BPD, but also for their loved ones.  If you’re married to someone with BPD, you may feel resentful, abused, burned out, used up, and lonely.  Therapy can provide you with the knowledge and support you need to maintain a healthy perspective and rebuild your own life with nurturing self-care. The better you learn how to take care of yourself, and the more you learn about your loved one’s illness, the more harmony and calm you will have in your life.
It's hard enough living with bipolar, and at first it was even harder talking to someone about it. Pilar was patient with me as I opened up. She is supportive and accepting and knowledgeable and a world class listener. I also knew she was paying attention because she would bring up a topic from several sessions earlier to see how things were going. After working with Pilar, I stopped existing and started living.
"When I first met Dr. Placone in the early days of 2010, I had just lost my job and my 10-year relationship with my wife was very rocky. My poorly treated bipolar disorder type II was eating away at everything I valued and I felt like I had little left to lose. Dr. Placone was so warm and caring, and able to draw from deep experience as well as knowledge ranging from the latest clinical studies all the way to ancient Far Eastern thought. Carefully and at my own pace, she’s helped me eliminate the extremes in my patterns of thought  and coaxed me into valuing “now. I feel happy, healthy and completely grateful."
I am also truly grateful for being led to Dr Pilar Placone.  When I first came to Pilar I had pretty much lost everything due to mu bipolar illness. I was confused, afraid and had two young children to take care of. I have learned that although proper medication is necessary for my treatment, it is not a cure. Without proper therapy one is not fully prepared or capable to manage bipolar disorder. I will always have episode of depression, and fighting through bouts is very difficult, but I know the time I worked under Dr. Placone’s care has given me the strength and tools to make it through. And while manic episodes have been nearly absent for the past 5 years, I've learned to be very cognizant to my mood shifts—this key to staying in balance and healthy.

Without Pilar’s breadth of knowledge of my illness, her direction, and warmth, I know I would not be as well off as I am today!  Dr. Placone is an authentic, compassionate and skilled therapist."  - Anonymous  
 “It's hard enough living with bipolar, and at first it was even harder talking to someone about it. Pilar was patient with me as I opened up. She is supportive and accepting and knowledgeable and a world-class listener. I also knew she was paying attention because she would bring up a topic from several sessions earlier to see how things were going. After working with Pilar, I stopped existing and started living.”
- An attorney

Ask Your Questions Dr. Pilar
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Feel free to contact me or make an appointment now.  

I am happy to provide a free 30-minute interview in my office at a time convenient for both of us.
Text or Call: (619) 884-1966

3356 Second Avenue, Ste E
San Diego, CA  92103
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