What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder involves severe swings between intense emotional highs and lows. These mood episodes can last for days, weeks, or years. Mania or hypomania refer to emotionally high episodes, while lows are known as depressive episodes.
The most common types of bipolar disorder include:
Bipolar I
Characterized by manic episodes of intense energy followed by extreme depressive episodes, this type of bipolar disorder may cause a break from reality. When manic episodes trigger psychosis, you may require hospital care.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II involves manic episodes that don’t reach the extremes of full mania. These episodes, known as hypomania, usually don’t last more than a week or two and they rarely involve a break from reality.
Cyclothymic disorder
Patients with more frequent but less extreme mood episodes may have cyclothymic disorder.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Many people think bipolar disorder involves mood swings from moment to moment. However, bipolar mood episodes typically last much longer.
Manic symptoms
Manic and hypomanic bipolar symptoms include:
- Increased energy
- Agitation
- Excessive talking
- Racing thoughts
- Impulsivity and rash decision making
- Exaggerated self-importance
- Insomnia
Depressive symptoms
Depressive bipolar symptoms include:
- Feelings of sorrow or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Appetite changes
- Fatigue
- Slowed movements and behavior
- Difficulty concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness, but the experts at Compass Mental Health & Wellness can help restore your safety and quality of life with appropriate treatment.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
The caring team at Compass Mental Health & Wellness designs personalized treatment protocols to treat all types of bipolar disorder. Most cases of bipolar disorder require psychiatric medication for mood stabilization.
The team also uses natural remedies and counseling techniques to provide holistic care for patients with bipolar disorder.
Your comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment plan may include:
- Medication management
- Counseling
- Mindfulness techniques
- Nutritional counseling
- Lifestyle changes
- Sleep analysis
- Exercise recommendations
Working closely with your provider, you’ll develop healthy ways to process your feelings while benefiting from pharmacological treatment.
If you suspect you or your child has bipolar disorder, call Compass Mental Health & Wellness to schedule a confidential evaluation or book online today.
