Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental illness that causes unexpected and intense shifts in mood that affect your energy and ability to function. At Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas, Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, and the team provide compassionate, patient-centered telehealth psychiatry care for people with bipolar disorder. They offer therapeutic support and medication management. Call the office or schedule your telehealth appointment using the online booking tool today.

What should I know about bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition that causes moods that fluctuate between periods of mania and depression. The mood changes are unexpected and severe, affecting energy and behavior.

Bipolar mood changes are called manic and depressive episodes. 

Manic episode

During a manic episode, a person with bipolar disorder feels very energized and elated. Though this may seem like a good thing, they have no control over their mood, and it quickly escalates to irritability, racing thoughts, and restlessness. They speak quickly, have difficulty sleeping, and engage in impulsive behaviors.

Depressive episode

During a depressive episode, a person with bipolar disorder feels sad and empty with very little energy. They lose interest in spending time with friends and family, feel guilty and ashamed, and may sleep more or less than usual.

Do mood swings mean I have bipolar disorder?

It’s normal to have mood swings. But in people with bipolar disorder, the mood changes are severe and difficult to control. If you have mood changes that affect your ability to function, schedule a consultation with the skilled psychiatric mental health professionals at Newstone Behavioral Health. 

During a psychiatric evaluation, they ask detailed questions about your symptoms to determine your diagnosis. If you have bipolar disorder, they classify the condition into a type based on the severity of symptoms. 

Bipolar disorder types include:

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder is the most severe. People with this type experience severe manic episodes that last seven or more days or require hospitalization. Then, they fall into a depression that lasts two or more weeks. 

Bipolar II disorder

People with bipolar II disorder have hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Hypomania is less severe, causing feelings of elation that last only a few days. 

Cyclothymia

People with cyclothymia fluctuate between periods of hypomania and depression for two or more years or a minimum of one year in teens. The mood changes are less intense than the other types but are present for long periods of time. 

What are the treatments for bipolar disorder?

The team at Newstone Behavioral Health takes a patient-centered approach to care and customizes your bipolar disorder treatment plan based on type and symptoms. Treatment may include a combination of medication management and psychotherapy.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental illness that requires ongoing psychiatric care. Call Newstone Behavioral Health or schedule your telehealth appointment online today.