Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar Disorders are marked by experiencing mood swings and intense emotional states. Each mood episode represents a drastic change from a person’s usual mood and behavior. An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. Severe episodes of mania or depression may have psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. Our team assesses the severity of symptoms, along with the recurrence of mood episodes.
Mania:
- Excessively “high,” euphoric mood
- Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
- Racing thoughts or fast speech
- Distractibility or difficulty concentrating
- Increased energy, activity, irritability, restlessness or poor judgment
Depression:
- Persistently sad, anxious, irritable or empty mood
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Feeling tired or rundown
Bipolar disorder may also be present in a mixed state, in which both mania and depression are experienced at the same time. Our specialists utilize medication management to treat bipolar disorder including mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Degrees of symptoms varying in severity are common in bipolar disorders, and our team specializes in Bipolar I Disorder; Bipolar II Disorder; Cyclothymia; or Rapid-cycling Bipolar Disorder.
Our psychiatrists treat bipolar disorder through medication and therapy. A prescribed treatment plan addresses the recognition and management of symptoms to help facilitate long-term and successful recovery.
