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If you or a loved one experiences extreme or debilitating mood swings, they might have bipolar disorder. At Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, in Chandler, Arizona, and Boise, Idaho, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Frances Spink, DNP, MSN, MBA, PMHNP-BC, offers therapy and medication to stabilize moods in people with this mental health condition. Schedule an in-person or virtual evaluation by phone or request one online today.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder affects your mood. It’s characterized by depression cycled with excitability (mania). While you can’t prevent bipolar disorder if you’re prone to the condition, early detection and treatment can help people with the condition live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives.
Which symptoms does bipolar disorder cause?
Bipolar disorder leads to:
- Frequent mood swings
- Cycling between depression and euphoria
- Fatigue cycled with excessive energy
- Being very quiet or highly talkative
- Changes in appetite or sleep
- Impulsive decision making
- Thoughts of suicide
- Loss of interest in favorite things
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- Work, school, or relationship challenges
You might be extremely happy one minute and down in the dumps the next.
Which are the common types of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder can present as:
Bipolar disorder I
Bipolar I disorder involves one or more episodes of mania that are severe or last at least seven days, cycled with depression.
Bipolar disorder II
Bipolar disorder II consists of hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Hypomanic episodes are less intense than manic episodes.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by hypomania with mild depression lasting at least two years, sometimes paired with brief periods of mood stabilization.
What are the risk factors for bipolar disorder?
Anyone can develop bipolar disorder, whether children, teenagers, or adults. The average onset is age 25. About 5.7 million adults in the United States have bipolar disorder.
Risk factors include:
- Brain chemistry changes
- Family history of bipolar disorder
- Trauma
- Stress
- Drug or alcohol misuse
Stressful events can trigger depressive or manic episodes. However, the exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t clearly understood.
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
Dr. Spink diagnoses bipolar disorder after completing a psychiatric evaluation that assesses your emotions, mood, behaviors, and thoughts. She also addresses your medical history, lifestyle, and medications. Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, uses GeneSight® genetic testing to pinpoint the medications most likely to be effective for your genetic makeup.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Treating bipolar disorder typically involves psychotherapy, medication management, lifestyle changes, or combination treatments. Dr. Spink offers psychoeducation, interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-focused therapy, and other therapies known to reduce bipolar disorder symptoms.
Schedule an in-person or telepsychiatry bipolar disorder evaluation at Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, by phone or request one online today.