What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a potentially disabling mental health condition. It was originally known as manic depression due to the extreme swings between feeling profoundly depressed and manically over-energized.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Typical symptoms you might have during a manic episode include:
- Mood swings
- Increased energy/activity
- Racing thoughts
- Rapid speech
- Boundless energy
- Hyperactivity
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Overloaded thinking
- Feeling invulnerable
- Taking risks
- Poor decision making
- Suppressed appetite
- Poor sleep
When you crash into a depression, symptoms are likely to include:
- Hopelessness
- Lack of energy
- Lethargy/Fatigue
- Prolonged sleep
- Loss of enjoyment
- Worthlessness
- Concentration problems
- Forgetfulness
- Suppressed appetite
- Suicidal thoughts
What treatments are available to help me manage bipolar disorder?
Treatments that help decrease bipolar disorder’s symptoms include:
- Mood stabilizers
- Atypical antipsychotics
- Antidepressants
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Natural remedies
Talking therapies can help you understand your condition better, enabling you to manage mood extremes more effectively. This understanding can lead to significant relief from the debilitating symptoms of bipolar disorder and greatly improve your quality of life.
Contact Hope & Heart Psychiatry to schedule a bipolar disorder consultation or schedule a telehealth appointment online today.