Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder often appears in your 20s, but it can also begin in children and teens, causing a severe mental health challenge they must manage for their lifetime. At Intuitive Mind Behavioral Health in New Braunfels, Texas, Lydia Kimeli-Pope, MSN-PMHNP, works with people aged 12 and older, creating integrative treatment plans that regulate mood swings and support a thriving life. Call Intuitive Mind Behavioral Health or use online booking today to get compassionate care for bipolar disorder.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes swings between a euphoric, high-energy mood (mania) and a sad, low-energy mood (depression). But the severity and frequency of your mood swings depend on the type of bipolar disorder.

The three types of bipolar disorder are:

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder causes episodes of major depression and severe mania. Manic episodes last at least seven days and cause extreme symptoms that often require hospitalization. In most cases, you experience neutral periods between mood swings.

Bipolar II disorder

This type causes episodes of major depression with milder manic episodes called hypomania. Unlike full-blown mania, hypomania doesn’t typically disrupt your life.

Cyclothymic disorder

If you have cyclothymic disorder, you have had frequent mood swings for at least two years. Your symptoms are less severe than major depression and mania, but your swings are so frequent they can interfere with daily life. Cyclothymic disorder also increases your risk of progressing to bipolar I or II disorder.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Mania and hypomania cause symptoms such as:

• Talking rapidly
• Having unstoppable energy
• Needing little to no sleep
• Experiencing racing thoughts
• Having an inflated sense of self-importance
• Engaging in risky behaviors (like overspending or driving while drinking)

During a manic episode, you may have delusions (believing something that isn’t true) and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or smelling things that aren’t there).

Depression causes several of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless
• Losing interest in favorite activities
• Withdrawing from your partner, friends, and family
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating too much or too little
• Gaining or losing weight
• Struggling to make decisions
• Feeling extreme fatigue and lack of energy
• Thinking about suicide (suicidal ideation)

Many depressed people also experience body aches and pains.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Bipolar disorder always requires medication. Regular use of mood-stabilizing medications prevents mania and depression and may help keep mood swings in remission.

Your treatment for bipolar disorder should also include therapy. Different therapies achieve specific goals. For example, you may learn to manage mood swings and gain skills for overcoming the challenges bipolar disorder creates in your personal, social, and professional life.

Call Intuitive Mind Behavioral Health today or request an appointment online to start getting comprehensive care for bipolar disorder.