Bipolar Disorder

About 4.4% of American adults experience extreme mood shifts from bipolar disorder, and almost 83% of those cases cause severe impairment. Stephanie Blanshan, PMHNP, FNP, and the team at Resonance Psychiatry can evaluate and treat bipolar disorder in adults via telehealth. If you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Formerly known as manic-depressive illness, or simply manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes dramatic shifts in your mood, energy, and capacity to think clearly. This condition causes periods of high and low moods called manic and depressive episodes, respectively. 

What are the types of bipolar disorder?

The four types of bipolar disorder are:

Bipolar I disorder

People with bipolar I have experienced at least one manic episode that lasted at least seven days or was severe enough to require hospitalization. They may also experience depression, but a depressive episode isn’t necessary for a bipolar I diagnosis. 

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II involves shifts between depressive and hypomanic episodes without a full-blown manic episode. Hypomania and mania cause similar symptoms but are two distinct states. Mania is more severe and may cause a break from reality (psychosis). 

Cyclothymic disorder

Also called cyclothymia, this disorder causes multiple periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that last for at least two years (or one year in children and teenagers). 

Other specified and unspecified types

This includes clinically significant mood disorders that don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for any other type of bipolar disorder. 

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of your condition. In general, symptoms of mania and hypomania may include:

• Racing thoughts
• Increased energy and activity
• Decreased need for sleep
• Unusual talkativeness
• Exaggerated sense of self-confidence
• Risky decision-making, like spending lots of money or acting promiscuously

Symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or pessimistic
• Decreased energy and activity levels
• Loss of pleasure in enjoyable activities
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Thinking about or planning suicide

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself, go to the nearest emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 right away.

How do you manage bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can seriously disrupt the lives of those who suffer from it as well as their families, but the team at Resonance Psychiatry can help. They carefully evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment approach to manage your specific type of bipolar disorder via telehealth. 

Your provider employs the most current evidence-based treatment methods. Most people with bipolar disorder benefit from a combination of psychotherapy and medication management. 

If you’re seeking help for bipolar disorder, call Resonance Psychiatry or request a telehealth appointment online today.