Bipolar disorder, with its extreme mood swings from depression to mania, used to be called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is very serious and can cause risky behavior, even suicidal tendencies, and can be treated with therapy and medication.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

It is defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.

It is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.

Also called cyclothymia, is defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

Signs of Bipolar Disorder?

People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called “mood episodes.” Mood episodes are drastically different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the person. Extreme changes in energy, activity, and sleep go along with mood episodes.

People having a manic episode may:

  • Feel very “up,” “high,” or elated
  • Have a lot of energy
  • Have increased activity levels
  • Feel “jumpy” or “wired”
  • Have trouble sleeping
  • Become more active than usual
  • Talk really fast about a lot of different things
  • Be agitated, irritable, or “touchy”
  • Feel like their thoughts are going very fast
  • Think they can do a lot of things at once
  • Do risky things, like spend a lot of money or have reckless sex
  • Destructibility
  • Feelings of grandiosity- feeling on top of the world

People having a depressive episode may:

  • Feel very sad, down, empty, or hopeless
  • Have very little energy
  • Have decreased activity levels
  • Have trouble sleeping, they may sleep too little or too much
  • Feel like they can’t enjoy anything
  • Feel worried and empty
  • Have trouble concentrating
  • Forget things a lot
  • Eat too much or too little
  • Feel tired or “slowed down”
  • Think about death or suicide
  • Feeling guilty

Scientific Backing of Bipolar Disorder

americanpsych

An article over the different types of bipolar disorders and treatments.

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prevention

Understanding the symptoms and signs for bipolar disorders.

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psych-a

Learning early intervention and how to see early detection.

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Key Benefits of Treatment at Exult

Treatment helps many people—even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder—gain better control of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms.

  • Medications – Mood stabilizers, atypical anti-psychotics, and antidepressants
  • Therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Access to on-site psychiatrist
  • Providers working together
  • Tailored programs to fit your needs
  • Afternoon and weekend hours
  • Yoga and Mindfulness

Whenever symptoms mentioned above last for longer than 2 weeks and impair social and outpatient functioning.

Therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy, which deals with managing symptoms of depression, mania, and controlling impulses.

We do take multiple insurances such as United, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Medicare but we suggest you discuss any major medical decisions with your insurance provider.

We offer medication management but we try to keep an open discussion between the client, therapist, and psychiatrist as to the needs of the client.

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