Bipolar Disorder

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is a serious chronic mental health condition that affects mood. People with bipolar disorder experience mood swings that fluctuate between mania (elation, excitement, irritability) and depression (sadness, hopelessness, despair).

It’s theorized that bipolar disorder is an inherited mental health condition that may develop due to abnormalities in the structure and function of the brain.

What are the types of bipolar disorder?

There are three types of bipolar disorder that are differentiated by the severity of the mood changes. 

The types include:

Bipolar I disorder

With bipolar I disorder, you may experience severe manic episodes for seven or more days that may require hospitalization, followed by periods of depression that last two weeks or longer. You may also experience both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time with bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II disorder is less severe than bipolar I disorder and only causes hypomanic episodes, along with depressive episodes. 

Cyclothymia 

You may have cyclothymia if you experience periods of hypomania and depression for two or more years. However, your mood swings don’t meet the diagnostic requirements for the hypomanic and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. 

Bipolar disorder symptoms generally appear during the late teens or early adulthood. However, the condition can occur at any age, even in young children. 

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

A comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation is needed to diagnose bipolar disorder. The team at OPA Behavioral Health takes an integrated approach to care and works closely with your primary care provider to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis.

A medical evaluation may be recommended to rule out other causes of your mood swings. After those possibilities are ruled out, the psychiatry experts at OPA Behavioral Health conduct a comprehensive evaluation to formulate a diagnosis.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition and requires ongoing treatment to manage moods and improve quality of life. 

How is bipolar disorder treated?

The experienced team at OPA Behavioral Health develops individualized treatment plans for the management of bipolar disorder based on the type, severity of symptoms, and your overall physical and mental health. Your treatment plan may include a combination of talk therapy and medication.

Because medication plays such a significant role in the treatment of bipolar disorder, the team works closely with you to find the right combination of medicines to help you gain control over your mood. They also provide ongoing medication management to monitor your symptoms and make adjustments as needed.

The psychiatrists also understand the effect the lifelong mental health condition has on the family and offers family counseling for the loved ones of patients with bipolar disorder.

For comprehensive care for your bipolar disorder, call OPA Behavioral Health or use the online tool to book a consultation.