F.A.Q.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder was once known as manic-depressive disorder. The original name reflects the condition’s hallmark symptoms: swings in mood from high-energy mania to low-energy depression.
However, there are three types of bipolar disorder. Each type involves high and low mood swings alternating with periods of normal mood. But they don’t all cause extreme symptoms.
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I disorder represents the traditional manic-depressive disease. In this type, the manic episodes are so severe that you need hospitalization to restore balance. You can be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder after your first manic episode, even if you haven’t experienced major depression.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder causes episodes of major depression and hypomania. When you have hypomania, you have the same symptoms as full-blown mania, but they’re less severe.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a milder type of bipolar disorder. You have frequent mood swings, but your symptoms are less severe than bipolar I and bipolar II disorders.
What symptoms occur during bipolar mania?
During a manic period, you experience symptoms such as:
- High emotional and physical energy
- An increase in activity levels
- Less need for sleep
- Rapid speech
- Uncontrollable racing thoughts
- An inflated sense of ego or self-importance
- An increase in risky behaviors (spending sprees, erratic or fast driving)
Some people have psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or confused thoughts.
What symptoms occur during bipolar depression?
Bipolar depression causes the same symptoms as major depression, including:
- Sadness and hopelessness
- Low energy and fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleep (getting more or less)
- Changes in eating habits (eating too much or too little)
- Less interest in spending time with friends
- Less interest in enjoyable activities
- Thoughts of suicide
Many people suffering from depression also have physical symptoms like body aches, headaches, and digestive problems.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Medication is an essential part of your treatment because it stabilizes your mood swings. Psychotherapy also supports your ongoing mental health.
During therapy, you can learn the signs of a pending mood swing and how to minimize its impact on your life. Psychotherapy also teaches you ways to deal with the challenges that develop due to bipolar disorder. For example, you may need to learn how to repair or maintain relationships, avoid stress, and improve your sleep.
With treatment, you can live a full and productive life with bipolar disorder. To schedule an appointment, call Addiction and Psychiatric Care or use the online booking feature today.