Conditions We Treat

Bipolar Disorder

What is it?

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can have a negative impact on a person’s life. Damaged relationships or a decline in job or school performance are potential effects, but positive outcomes are possible. These two states are known as mania and depression. A maniac state can be identified by feelings of extreme irritability and/or euphoria, along with several other symptoms during the same week such as agitation, surges of energy. reduced need for sleep, talkativeness, pleasure-seeking and increased risktaking behavior. On the other side, when an individual experiences symptoms of depression they feel extremely sad, hopeless and loss of energy. Not everyone’s symptoms are the same and the severity of mania and depression can vary.

Symptoms

The occurrence of at lease one episode of abnormal mood elevation such as mania of hypomania is the key feature that distinguishes bipolar disorder from another disorders such as depression. With bipolar disorder there is a spectrum of symptoms, including:
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• Feeling on top of the world or exceedingly happy
• Feeling very irritable
• Talking very fast, not allowing others to interrupt youIncreased impulsivity
• Trying to complete many tasks but finishing none
• Being distracted
• Restlessness
• Engaging in high-risk behaviors
• Feeling tired or run down
• Thinking of hurting yourself or trying to hurt yourself

The occurrence of psychotic symptoms may lead to individuals with bipolar disorders being wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness that is often accompanied by hallucinations and delusions. Fortunately, these symptoms can be managed with the right treatment and support.

Types

Bipolar I DisorderThis type involves manic episodes that are often accompanied by depressive episode

Bipolar II  DisorderInvolves hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than full-blown manic episodes.

Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia Refers to a more chronic unstable mood state.

Bipolar I DisorderThis type involves manic episodes that are often accompanied by depressive episode

Treatment

The management of the illness should include attention to lifestyle, stress management support and also medication options. There is no one approach. It is essential to put together a care plan with elements specific to your needs. If bipolar disorder is left untreated, it tends to get worse and the symptoms can become more pronounced. Effective treatment plans usually include medication, psychotherapy, education, self-management strategies and external supports such as family, friends, and formal support groups.

Medications‍

Mood-stabilizing medications are often the first choice of medication when treating bipolar disorder. They are referred to as “mood stabilizers” because of their ability to return an individual to usual level of psychosocial functioning.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are also commonly used to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder and are often paired with other medications, including mood stabilizers.

Standard antidepressant medications are sometimes administered to address symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder.
There are only some of the many antidepressants that may be described for helping control the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder, but noe has FDA approval specifically for treatment of bipolar depresion.

Therapies‍

Psychotherapy and other interventions While medication is one key element in successful treatment of bipolar disorder, psychotherapy, support groups and knowledge about the illness are also essential components of the treatment process.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
For severe cases where medication and psychotherapy do not work, ECT may be worth considering. ECT involves the use of short electrical impulses transmitted into the brain.

Risk Factors

Based on best available date, many scientist suggest that bipolar disorder can be caused by more than one factor (e.g. genes, environmental stress, nutrition, inflammatory factors or other stress in the brain).Anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) routinely co-occur with Bipolar Disorder. Successful treatment of bipolar disorder almost always improves these other conditions. Similarly, successful treatment of these conditions usually improves the symptoms.

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