Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center

Learn more about bipolar disorder treatment at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

When individuals are struggling with the presence of a mental health condition, it can rapidly lead to countless disturbances in their lives and negatively affect their abilities to function appropriately on a daily basis. At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, the highly trained and qualified staff understands the challenges that living a life clouded by mental illness can bring about and therefore provides specialized programming that is designed to meet the needs of those who are struggling with the concerns that accompany the presence of a myriad of mental disorders. Bipolar disorder is one such mental health condition that has the potential to wreak havoc on the lives of those who are afflicted by it. The drastic fluctuations in mood that are definitive of bipolar disorder can elicit feelings of hopelessness and helplessness on its sufferers, making them feel as though getting through each day is an endless battle. At San Juan Capestrano, we do not want you to have to fight this battle alone. Let our caring and compassionate staff get you or your loved one started on the path to living a bright and happy future, free from the grips of bipolar disorder.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital is a 172-bed, short-stay private psychiatric hospital located in Metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since opening in 1988, we have prided ourselves on being a leader in offering superior treatment for individuals who are suffering from any number of behavioral and emotional concerns, as well as those who are plagued by chemical dependency issues. By offering programming options for adolescents, adults, and senior adults, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is able to afford immediate, acute care that is individualized to meet the unique needs of each patient with whom we work. Our staff consists of numerous mental health professionals, as well as addiction specialists and experienced medical personnel, who are able to facilitate services that emphasize the strengths that our patients possess, while understanding the sensitivity of the concerns that they face. We are proud of our ability to provide the highest quality of individualized care for bipolar disorder available in Puerto Rico through innovative and distinctive treatment options that are based on integrity, respect, and compassionate care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to afford our patients with a safe and nurturing environment that will promote recovery and allow each individual to return to his or her respective community with an overall improved sense of emotional and physical wellbeing. If you or a loved one is struggling with the debilitating symptoms of bipolar disorder, look no further than San Juan Capestrano Hospital.

Helping a loved one get treatment for bipolar disorder

The turmoil that the presence of bipolar disorder inflicts upon an individual can be extremely confusing to those in his or her life. If you have a loved one who experiences drastic fluctuations in mood, is engaging in behaviors that are causing you concern, and presents with dramatic changes in demeanor, it is possible that he or she may be suffering from bipolar disorder. If you suspect that this is the case, here are some more detailed warning signs to look out for:

• Manic episode:
  • Decreased need for sleep
  • Rapid speech
  • Hypersexuality
  • Flight of ideas
  • Acting recklessly and impulsively
  • Displays of grandiosity
  • Experiencing hallucinations

• Depressive episode:
  • Increased need for sleep
  • Isolating oneself from family and friends
  • Dulled or delayed responses to stimuli
  • Decline in participation in activities that were once enjoyed
  • Engaging in self-harming behaviors
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

  If you have noticed your loved one exhibiting any, or all, of these signs, it is imperative that you encourage him or her to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. While your loved one may be resistant to the idea at first, it is important that treatment is received in order to prevent future detrimental consequences. Broaching the subject with your loved one can seem intimidating, but the following are some things to keep in mind that may help the process go more smoothly:

  • Educate yourself on bipolar disorder so that you can gain an understanding of what your loved one is going through. This can help develop a sense of empathy and alleviate the frustration that you may be feeling as the result of your loved one’s behaviors. Having such knowledge can also helping you discover ways that you can best be of support to him or her.
  • Research various treatment options so that you can present them to your loved one during the discussion.
  • Accompany your loved one to any appointments for evaluations that may be scheduled.
  • Adhere to recommendations that are offered by treatment providers so that there is continuity of care when your loved one is at home.
  • Help your loved one maintain consistency in taking any medications that are prescribed. When people are suffering from bipolar disorder, they often get to a point where they no longer want to take their medication because they feel that their symptoms have subsided. However, as soon as they do, their symptoms will inevitably return and may even worsen.
  • Remain a constant source of support for your loved one. It can be difficult to remain patient as the treatment process can be a long one, but the more supportive and active you are in the therapeutic process, the more successful the treatment outcomes will likely be.

Why consider treatment for bipolar disorder at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

Individuals who are suffering from bipolar disorder may feel helpless as they watch their world seem to crumble around them. They may struggle to adhere to their academic or occupational responsibilities, may have trouble interacting socially, and may unknowingly be destroying interpersonal relationships as a result of their behaviors. While these people know that there is something wrong, they feel incapable of controlling their thoughts and actions. This lack of a sense of control can further perpetuate the downward spiral of conflicting symptoms and place individuals at risk for harming themselves by acting recklessly or making attempts to commit suicide. While bipolar disorder is a very severe and debilitating illness, it can be successfully treated and those suffering from it can go on to lead fulfilling lives.

Inpatient treatment programs are known to be extremely effective at helping individuals who have bipolar disorder gain control of their symptoms. When taking part in an inpatient program, individuals are able to walk away from the chaos that their lives have become and focus solely on healing and becoming emotionally and physically well again. These people can begin a regimen of appropriate medications that will aid in stabilizing their mood while being under the constant care of psychiatrists, physicians, or nurses. In addition to the implementation of medication, people in inpatient programs are able to participate in a variety of therapeutic interventions, gaining support from both mental health professionals as well as other patients who are battling similar challenges.

Types of bipolar disorder treatment offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we wholeheartedly believe in the notion that each patient should have individualized treatment that meets his or her every need. For this reason, we afford each patient who comes to us struggling with the devastating symptoms of bipolar disorder with individually tailored plans for treatment that are distinct to the adolescents, adults, and senior adults who come to us for mental health services. These plans detail the specific courses of treatment that patients will engage in and include aftercare recommendations that are devised by our staff so that every patient experiences a full continuum of care. The planning of treatment begins during the time of assessment and can be altered should additional concerns arise during the course of treatment at our hospital.

In order to meet the varying needs of people suffering from bipolar disorder, as well as the possible co-occurring issue of chemical dependency, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is pleased to provide various levels of care and specialized programming options. Our hospital features separate adult and adolescent inpatient programs that treat a myriad of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. The level of care most appropriate for a patient is decided upon during the initial psychiatric evaluation, wherein a patient’s needs are assessed, a physical examination is conducted, and a mental status assessment is administered in order to determine which program will produce the most favorable treatment outcomes for any given patient.

Once admitted to one of our programs, patients struggling with bipolar disorder have the ability to partake in a number of therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities. These methods are rooted in evidence-based principles and techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and the 12-step model for recovery for those individuals who are struggling with substance abuse concerns in addition to the distressing symptoms of bipolar disorder. The following methods for care are the ones primarily used at San Juan Capestrano Hospital and are implemented so that patients can find relief from the concerns that arise as a result of the presence of bipolar disorder:

Medical detoxification: For those that are battling a chemical dependency problem in addition to bipolar disorder, San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers medically supervised detoxification services that are aimed at helping adults, aged 18 and older, withdraw from substances in the most effective and safest manner possible. These services are monitored by medical professionals who have experience in making the process of withdrawal as comfortable as can be so that patients can partake in therapeutic interventions with addiction specialists who can help springboard them towards lasting healing and a full recovery from addiction.

Medication management: The implementation of psychotropic medications are cornerstone to successfully treating bipolar disorder. On a case-by-case basis, our qualified psychiatrists will determine each patient’s individual needs for medication, prescribe the appropriate medications, and will then monitor the therapeutic effectiveness of those medications.

Individual therapy: All patients who take part in our inpatient programming for bipolar disorder engage in individual therapy sessions four times per week. Individual therapy is a treatment method that is designed to provide patients with an opportunity to process emotions and thoughts on a one-to-one basis with a member of our staff. This can also be a time for individuals to discuss any concerns that they may have, as well as to track treatment goals.

Group therapy: San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers a number of group therapy opportunities for patients with bipolar disorder that offers them the opportunity to find support in one another and hone skills that have been learned. Such sessions can be especially beneficial for individuals who are struggling with the distressing symptoms of bipolar disorder as they can provide them with the sense of comfort that comes with knowing that they are not alone in their struggles. Some of the topics covered in these groups include techniques for managing stress, improving communication, learning and adapting healthy coping methods, bettering self-esteem, dealing with grief and loss, and persevering through trauma. These groups are offered several times per week to maximize the benefits of treatment offered in a group setting.    

Family therapy: Family therapy is offered as a method of treatment during inpatient programming so that our patients can receive ample support from the people who care for them most. During family therapy sessions, patients and their loved ones can work through conflicts and improve communication so as to heal and better familial relationships through the implementation of skills that can service a family unit well for a lifetime. For the family members of patients with bipolar disorder, these sessions can also serve as a time for gaining education about the illness and learning ways in which they can best help and support their loved one.

We also include a number of other therapeutic interventions as a way to wholly treat the individuals who come to our hospital for care. Especially for those who are plagued by bipolar disorder and require additional support and/or resources, we supply the following interventions and group topics as part of our treatment; these interventions have proven effectiveness in helping our patients learn to manage stress and turmoil while gaining the tools needed to successfully manage the debilitating symptoms of their mental health condition while also addressing other concerns:   

• Pilates
• Relaxation techniques
• Occupational therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Canine therapy
• Infection control education
• Psychoeducation
• Anger management
• Medical issues management
• Crisis management
• Marijuana Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous

Continuing care and levels of treatment for bipolar disorder

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we strive to provide the most comprehensive services that embody the highest quality of care possible for individuals who are suffering from bipolar disorder. To fulfill this goal, we begin discharge planning at the time of admissions and feature a number of continuing care options at varying levels of treatment so that each and every one of our patient’s needs can be treated once a higher level of care is no longer required.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers partial hospitalization programs for both adolescents and adults. The adolescent program is catered to youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old and our adult program is designed for those aged 18 and older who are struggling with mental health concerns like bipolar disorder.

Our hospital also features an adult substance abuse intensive outpatient program for individuals aged 18 and older who are battling the demon of addiction in addition to bipolar disorder. This program is designed to continue the recovery process and help patients maintain sobriety after completing inpatient services.

Lastly, San Juan Capestrano Hospital provides outpatient services at eleven different locations on the island, including San Juan, Hatillo, Mayagüez, Caguas, Humanao, Manatí, Condado, Carolina, Ponce, Bayamón, and Guaynabo. Outpatient care allows patients to process feelings and thoughts with a mental health professional on a weekly basis.

Whatever your mental healthcare needs, the staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is devoted to helping those who are entrusted into our care overcome mental health issues or substance abuse concerns. We will put forth every effort to ensure that healing and lasting recovery from bipolar disorder is successfully achieved.