Essendon Private Clinic
Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Melbourne
Bipolar disorder can affect mood, energy, sleep, activity levels and everyday functioning.
For some people, changes associated with mania, hypomania or bipolar depression can become increasingly difficult to manage with their current treatment and support.
Essendon Private Clinic provides planned, psychiatrist-led mental health treatment in Melbourne, including structured inpatient care where clinically appropriate.
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Private mental health hospital in Essendon West, Melbourne
Psychiatrist-led care
Inpatient, day program and TMS pathways
What Can Bipolar Disorder Feel Like?
Bipolar disorder can affect people in different ways. It involves changes in mood, energy and activity that occur in episodes, with experiences varying considerably from person to person.
Some people may experience:
- Noticeable increases in energy or activity
- Needing much less sleep than usual
- Racing thoughts or faster speech
- Unusually elevated confidence or irritability
- Periods of persistent low mood
- Loss of interest or enjoyment
- Fatigue or reduced energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Difficulty managing everyday responsibilities
Not sure whether you need help?
You do not need to have all of the answers before asking about support.
Bipolar Disorder in Australia
Bipolar disorder affects many Australians.
1 in 50
Australians have bipolar disorder.
Source: Healthdirect
12 years
is the average waiting time between experiencing symptoms and diagnosis
Source: The University of Sydney
When Bipolar Disorder Starts Affecting Everyday Life
Bipolar disorder can affect mood, sleep, energy, behaviour and everyday functioning. What matters is how much these changes are affecting relationships, work or study, routines, decision-making and usual responsibilities.
If bipolar symptoms are becoming more disruptive despite current treatment, it may be worth discussing your treatment plan and level of support with your psychiatrist or treating health professional.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options in Melbourne at Essendon Private Clinic
Treatment for BPD is individual and depends on the person's experiences, circumstances, existing treatment and clinical needs.
Inpatient Mental Health Care
Planned, psychiatrist-led care in a private hospital environment for people who may benefit from more structured mental health treatment.
Day Programs
Structured therapeutic programs that allow you to receive ongoing treatment while continuing to live at home.
TMS
A psychiatrist can assess your symptoms, diagnosis, medication and treatment history and discuss appropriate next steps.
Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) may form part of treatment, with medication considered depending on individual circumstances.
When Might Inpatient Treatment Be Considered?
Most people living with bipolar disorder receive treatment and support in the community. For some people, however, there may be times when everyday life becomes harder to manage or their current treatment no longer feels like enough support.
A psychiatrist may consider whether a more structured level of care could be appropriate based on the person’s overall circumstances, including:
- How much their mental health is affecting everyday life
- Whether usual routines and responsibilities have become difficult to manage
- The support currently available at home and in the community
- Treatment already being provided
- Whether closer clinical support may be helpful.
Admission to EPC is based on referral, clinical assessment and individual suitability. You do not need to decide for yourself whether inpatient treatment is the right option — our Intake Team can explain the process and what information is required.
Inpatient Care Is Different From Emergency Care
EPC provides planned, private mental health treatment. We are not an emergency department and do not provide crisis or emergency care. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000 or present to your nearest emergency department.
Supporting The Whole Person
Bipolar disorder can affect much more than mood alone. It can influence sleep, energy, relationships, confidence, decision-making, daily routines, work or study, and the ability to manage everyday responsibilities.
EPC’s Whole-Person Recovery Model considers these different parts of recovery through three connected pillars — ESSENTIAL, EMPOWERED, ENGAGED.
ESSENTIAL
Build Safety & Stability
Support with overwhelming emotions, sleep and daily routines, grounding, practical coping skills and building stability.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Managing changes in mood and energy
- Sleep, routine and activity planning
- Grounding, coping and building stability
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
EMPOWERED
Understand Your Emotions
Recognising unhelpful thinking patterns, behavioural activation, emotion regulation and building resilience.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Recognising mood changes and warning signs
- Understanding triggers, patterns and emotional responses
- Building emotion regulation and self-management skills
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
ENGAGED
Connect With What Matters
Rebuilding relationships, confidence, meaningful activities, purpose and plans for life beyond hospital.
SKILLS YOU MAY EXPLORE
- Reconnecting with meaningful activities
- Strengthening relationships and support networks
- Planning for ongoing wellbeing and recovery
Additional topics may be explored according to your individual needs.
How To Get Started With Treatment
1
Contact our Intake team
We’ll listen and answer your questions.
2
Referral and assessment
Your psychiatrist will review your needs.
3
Understand your treatment options
We’ll explain the options that may help.
4
Plan your treatment
Together, we’ll create your treatment plan.
Worried About Someone With Severe Anxiety?
Bipolar disorder can also affect family members and carers, particularly when changes in mood, sleep, energy or behaviour begin to disrupt everyday life.
Family and carers can support someone by encouraging ongoing contact with their psychiatrist or treatment team and knowing when additional professional support may be needed.
Essendon Private Clinic’s Intake Team can provide general information about bipolar disorder treatment, referral requirements and EPC’s planned-admission pathway.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Treatment?
Coverage depends on the treatment, your health fund, and your individual policy.
We work with major health funds
Most major Australian private health funds are accepted for eligible admissions. Cover depends on your fund, policy and level of hospital cover.
Out-of-pocket costs
Excesses and out-of-pocket costs vary by policy and treatment. Intake can explain what information is needed so you can confirm costs before admission.
We can help explain your cover
The intake team can walk you through the funding process and what to check with your health fund, including waiting periods and eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder
What can bipolar disorder feel like?
Bipolar disorder can involve significant changes in mood, energy, sleep and activity. Some people experience periods of elevated or irritable mood and increased energy, while others experience periods of depression, lower energy and difficulty managing everyday responsibilities.
Experiences vary considerably between people, and diagnosis requires professional assessment.
What is mania?
Mania involves a significant change in mood, energy and activity that may also affect sleep, thinking, behaviour and judgement.
A qualified health professional considers the person's broader symptoms and circumstances when assessing a possible manic episode.
What is hypomania?
Hypomania also involves noticeable changes in mood and energy but is clinically different from mania.
Rather than trying to determine the difference yourself, speak with a qualified mental health professional if you are concerned about significant changes in mood, energy, sleep or behaviour.
What is bipolar depression?
Bipolar depression refers to depressive episodes experienced as part of bipolar disorder. It may involve low mood, reduced interest or pleasure, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite and difficulty concentrating or functioning.
Can bipolar disorder affect sleep?
Yes. Changes in sleep can occur during bipolar mood episodes and may also be an important personal warning sign for some people.
Significant or persistent changes in sleep should be discussed with the treating team.
Does EPC treat bipolar disorder?
Essendon Private Clinic provides planned, psychiatrist-led private mental health care in Melbourne.
Contact EPC's Intake Team to discuss your circumstances, referral requirements and whether EPC's current treatment pathway may be appropriate.
What if my bipolar treatment isn't working?
If symptoms are continuing, changing or significantly affecting everyday life despite treatment, speak with your psychiatrist or healthcare professional.
The treatment plan, medication or level of support may need to be reviewed. Medication should not be stopped or altered without clinical advice.
When might inpatient treatment for bipolar disorder be considered?
More structured care may be considered when symptoms are significantly affecting everyday functioning or judgement, closer monitoring is required or treatment in the community is no longer providing enough support.
Suitability for planned admission is assessed individually.
Do I need a referral to Essendon Private Clinic?
A GP or psychiatrist referral is generally required for a private admission. If you do not have an admitting psychiatrist, contact intake to ask about the pathway.
Can a family member enquire about treatment?
Yes. Family members and carers can contact EPC to ask about available treatment options and the referral process. Privacy and confidentiality requirements apply to information about an individual patient.
Does private health insurance cover inpatient treatment?
Cover and out-of-pocket costs vary by insurer, policy and admission. Intake can explain what information is needed; confirm benefits with your health fund before admission.
Where is Essendon Private Clinic located?
Essendon Private Clinic is located at 35 Rosehill Road, Essendon West VIC 3040, in Melbourne’s north-west. Contact our Intake Team if you would like to ask about depression treatment options, referrals or how to access care.
You Don't Need to Diagnose Yourself Before Asking For Help
Reading about symptoms online can help you recognise that something may not be going well. It cannot determine why you are experiencing those difficulties or what treatment you need.
Our Intake Team can discuss your circumstances and explain available treatment options.
YOU DO NOT NEED EVERY ANSWER BEFORE YOU CALL
Talk to Intake About Admission
Send a short enquiry and the intake team can explain treatment options, referrals, costs and next steps.