Bipolar Disorder:
It formerly called manic depression, is a chronic Mood Disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, activity levels, concentration, and behavior. Patients having particular types of bipolar disorder experience high emotional states throughout distinct periods of days to weeks or even years. Manic/hypomanic or depressive mood episodes are the two categories of this disorder.
Even those who do not have bipolar disorder go through mood swings but it usually lasts only a few hours. Additionally, these changes typically do not come with the high degree of behavioral change or difficulties adjusting to daily life activities and social interactions that individuals with bipolar disorder exhibit during mood episodes.
There are a few types of bipolar disorder, which are characterized by severe mood swings known as hypomanic/manic and depressed episodes. Here we will discuss different types of bipolar disorder briefly.
Manic Episodes:
Mania is a state in which you experience dramatic changes in your emotions, thoughts, energy, talkativeness, and level of activity. You also experience a period of excessive irritability. Others will note the shift in your regular conduct and the high level of energy in your physical and mental activity.
Hypomanic Episode:
A hypomanic episode is characterized by less intense manic symptoms that just need to last for four days straight as opposed to a week.
Three or more of the following symptoms are present in both manic and hypomanic episodes:
- Mood swings that are abrupt and intense,
- Excessive joy, hopefulness, and excitement
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Decreased need for sleep
- Activities that cause harm (physical, social, or financial)
- Increased or faster speech
- Uncontrollable racing thoughts
- Distractibility
- Increased activity
- Increased risky behavior
- Unusual talkativeness
- Poor decision-making
Depressive Episode.
A major depressive episode lasts at least two weeks and is characterized by persistent fatigue, a low or sad mood, and/or loss of interest in most activities and has at least five of the following symptoms
- Intense sadness or despair
- Loss of interest in activities the person once enjoyed
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Fatigue
- Increased or decreased sleep
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Restlessness
- Difficulty paying attention
- Recurring suicidal thoughts
What are the types of bipolar disorder?
- Bipolar I disorder: People who have bipolar I disorder will go through one or more manic episodes. Most people with bipolar I will have both mania and depression, but an episode of depression isn’t necessary for a diagnosis. If there are depressive episodes they will typically last for two weeks or longer.
- Bipolar II disorder: Depressive and hypomanic episodes are common in people with bipolar II disorder. A person must experience at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode in order to be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. However, they never go through a full manic episode, which is a sign of bipolar I disorder. Bipolar II disorder is frequently more incapacitating than bipolar I disorder because chronic depression is more frequent in bipolar II. When there are no new episodes, people resume their regular activities.
- Cyclothymic disorder (cyclothymia): Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by a persistently unstable mood. They go through mild sadness and hypomania for at least two years. People with cyclothymia may have brief periods of everyday mood (euthymia), but these periods last fewer than eight weeks. People with cyclothymia experience emotional ups and downs but with less severe symptoms than bipolar I or II disorder.
- Other specified and unspecified bipolar: Sometimes a person might experience symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not fall into the three categories listed above, and this is referred to as “other specified and unspecified bipolar.”
What causes Bipolar Disorder?
Particular Types of Bipolar disorder may have several causes, which are being researched. The general opinion is that there is no single cause, and it is likely that a variety of factors influence a person’s probability of getting this disorder. The risk factor of different types of bipolar disorder may be the following.
Genetics: Some research suggests that people with specific genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is one of the most heritable psychiatric conditions, more than two-thirds of patients with bipolar disorder have at least one close biological relative who also has the same condition. However, this may not always be the case.
Changes in your brain: According to some research, people with bipolar disorder may have brains that are different from those of people who do not have the condition or any other mental disorder. Researchers have discovered minor variations in the typical size or activation of specific brain regions in bipolar disorder patients.
Environmental factors: A stressful event, like the death of a loved one, a serious illness, divorce, or financial difficulties, can cause a manic or depressive episode. As a result, trauma and stress may potentially lead to the development of bipolar disorder.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Many people, even those with the most severe types of bipolar disorder, can benefit from treatment. The following therapies are frequently combined in an efficient treatment plan:
Psychotherapy
- Talk therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Medications
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
Other therapies
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Helpful lifestyle habits
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Meditation
Self-management strategies
- Education
- Identifying the early symptoms
Treatment, Medication, and therapy for bipolar disorder at Novus Beginning Psychiatry in Sugar Land, Texas
Follow these steps to begin counseling at Novus Beginning Psychiatry:
- Get in touch with our office to schedule an appointment or to learn more about bipolar disorder.
- Meet our experienced psychiatrist who will look for solutions to assist you with your psychological health
- Visit our website and learn more about human psychology.
- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Additional Services We Provide
At Novus Beginning Psychiatry, we provide therapy and Medication Treatment Services for people of all ages having anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, depression, ADHD, autism, different types of bipolar disorder, and women’s issues. We provide couples and marriage counseling, counseling for children, young adults, and teenagers, family therapy, men’s issues, trauma counseling, and group counseling. Please contact Novus Beginning Psychiatry immediately if you’d like to know more about our psychiatrist, therapist, and counseling service.
