What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes dramatic shifts in your mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly. When you have bipolar disorder, your moods swing from extreme highs (manic episodes) to deep lows (depressive episodes).
There are several types of bipolar disorders:
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I involves full-blown manic symptoms that last at least one week or are severe enough to require hospitalization. Depressive episodes may follow or precede the manic episode.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than manic episodes.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder involves multiple periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that last at least two years (or one year in children and teenagers). The symptoms don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for a hypomanic or depressive episode.
Other types
These include other specified and unspecified disorders that involve symptoms of bipolar disorder but don’t fit into any of the three types described above.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Most people with bipolar disorder experience distinct periods of mania and depression.
Symptoms of a manic or hypomanic episode include:
- Racing thoughts
- Increased energy or activity
- Feeling high or elated
- Feeling jumpy or wired
- Speaking faster than usual
- Decreased need for sleep
- Agitation or irritability
- Exaggerated sense of self-confidence
- Risky behaviors, such as spending lots of money or having reckless sex
Symptoms of a depressive episode include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Decreased energy and activity
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Difficulty enjoying pleasurable things
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Eating too much or too little
- Thoughts of death or suicide
If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Dr. Ghelber helps patients of all ages manage bipolar disorders and live healthy, productive lives. Depending on your unique needs, she may recommend prescription medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
If your symptoms don’t respond to medication, Dr. Ghelber may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, an FDA-cleared treatment for major depressive disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that requires ongoing management. Dr. Ghelber is committed to helping you find the right treatment to restore balance to your life.
To learn more about treating bipolar disorder, call the Institute for Advanced Psychiatry today.
