Bipolar Disorder

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can cause severe or frequent mood swings, ranging from extreme happiness to feeling very depressed. It may be caused by brain changes, lack of sleep, substance misuse, trauma, stress, or genetics. Treatment can help stabilize your mood.

Which symptoms can bipolar disorder cause?

Bipolar disorder can cause:

• Extreme mood swings
• Feeling hopeless paired with extreme excitement
• Restlessness
• Increased or decreased energy
• Being hopeless or depressed cycled with euphoria
• Rapid speech cycled with talking slowly 
• Impulsive decisions 
• Crying spells
• Irritability 
• Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
• Sleep or appetite changes
• Thoughts of suicide 

Bipolar disorder can cause problems in relationships and lead to poor work or school performance. 

What are the different types of bipolar disorder?

The four main types of bipolar disorder are the following.

• Bipolar I disorder: one or more episodes of intense mania (overjoyment) or depression 
• Bipolar II disorder: depression and hypomanic (less impairing than manic) episodes
• Cyclothymic disorder: long-lasting, unstable mood fluctuations lasting two years or more
• Related disorders: abnormal mood swings that don’t fall into the other categories

Determining the type of bipolar disorder you have allows Evan to find the most appropriate treatment. 

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Evan completes a detailed psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. He discusses your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. He may ask for input from family and friends. 

Evan also discusses your moods, emotions, behaviors, and thoughts to clarify the situation and design a treatment that reduces mood cycling and improves overall functioning.

When clinically appropriate, he uses Genomind genetic testing to find the most effective medication management options. 

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Your personalized bipolar disorder treatment plan may include:

• Lifestyle education
• Medication management
• Psychoeducation
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)
• Family-focused therapy
• Other therapies 
• Ongoing education and support
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) referrals

What makes bipolar disorder treatment unique at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc. is Evan’s expertise in navigating complex cases with overlapping anxiety, trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or mood instability. 

It’s helpful to avoid smoking and excessive drinking, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy foods, stay active, and minimize stress. Follow up with Evan at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc. to optimize mental health outcomes.

Schedule a virtual bipolar evaluation at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc. by calling the office or booking a visit online today.