Bipolar disorder causes extreme changes in mood and energy levels that affect your ability to function normally. People who have bipolar disorder go through distinct phases called mood episodes, which can be manic, hypomanic, or depressive.
There are three types of bipolar disorder – bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and cyclothymic.
Bipolar 1 disorder is the most extreme type and causes dramatic mood changes. Manic episodes last a week or more, during which you feel full of energy and high spirited. Potential changes in behavior could include:
These changes are apparent to people who know you, and can be so severe they disrupt your work, studies, and family life. You might get into financial difficulty because of reckless
Cyclothymic disorder causes frequent, fairly constant swings between hypomania and depression. Cyclothymia causes less severe symptoms than bipolar I or II.
As yet, there’s no specific, identifiable cause for bipolar disorder. Genetics is likely to play a part, as 80-90% of people with bipolar disorder have a relative who also has either bipolar or depression. Other factors that can contribute to your risk of developing bipolar disorder include:
Bipolar typically causes noticeable mood episodes before the age of 18 but can occur in older people as well
Bipolar disorder requires treatment individualized to each patient. Treatment from Gwinnett Psychiatry may include prescription mood stabilizers, or in some cases, anticonvulsant medications can help.
Psychotherapy is the other key treatment for bipolar disorder. Therapy helps you understand your illness better, manage the problems you have, and rebuild your relationships.
Gwinnett Psychiatry also offers innovative treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for patients who aren’t improving using other treatment approaches.
If you’re struggling with extreme mood swings, or your current bipolar disorder treatment isn’t improving your quality of life, call us today.
Gwinnett Psychiatry provides both general and sub-specialty psychiatric care for children, adolescents and adults. We work to ensure a careful, thorough evaluation followed by comprehensive multi-modal outpatient treatment.
Address : 170 Camden Hill Road
Suite: F Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (678) 226-2295
Fax: (678) 226-2296