Portfolio
News and Feature Stories

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (Lancaster, Pa.)
Cover, Business Monday

Bi-Polar Illness: The symptoms, the stigma, the treatment, the hope  (Part two in a series) - Continued

Hope
"If you think that this is a condition you may have, you may wish to seek out a psychiatrist for an evaluation and pursue treatment," Brettschneider said. 

"There is hope for individuals with this illness, if it is properly diagnosed and treated."

You may wish to start with your family doctor, because sometimes you can get into mental health services more quickly if you have a referral.  Research shows, however, that you are more likely to be helped in the long term if you see a psychiatrist who, of course, better understands the intricacies of brain disorders and the management of psychiatric drugs better than a general practitioner.  A specialist is, therefore, better equipped to give you the tools you need to recover.

In- and out-patient treatment for bi-polar illness is available in many locations throughout Lancaster County and nearby communities.  Treatment centers include Ephrata Community Hospital <http://www.ephratahospital.org/Default.aspx?Page=Pavilion>, Lancaster General Hospital <http://www.lancastergeneral.org/>, and Lancaster Regional Hospital <http://www.hma-corp.com/pa1.html>. 

In addition, Philhaven Behavioral Healthcare Services, Mt. Gretna, Pa. <http://www.philhaven.org>, has more than 13 out-patient locations throughout Lancaster County.  And the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa. <http://www.hmc.psu.edu/>, offers in- and out-patient treatment as well. 

Resources