Mental Health Services
Bipolar disorder
Therapy care for all
Bipolar disorder is a potentially disabling illness that causes extreme shifts from manic episodes to depression. At our offices, staff offers comprehensive evaluations and expert therapies to help you manage bipolar disorder to improve functionality and offer the highest possible quality of life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
What causes
bipolar disorder?
The precise cause of bipolar disorder is uncertain. However, genetics is likely to be an important influence — up to 90% of people with this condition have at least one relative with bipolar disorder or depression. Other risk factors that increase your chances of developing bipolar disorder include:
Substance abuse
Excessive alcohol consumption
Extreme stress
Insufficient or poor-quality sleep
Bipolar disorder usually starts causing symptoms before you reach 18, but it sometimes develops later in life. Pure Psychiatry has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder in people of all ages.
What is bipolar disorder?
Someone with bipolar disorder experiences alterations in mood from mania to depression that severely affect their ability to function in day-to-day life.
There are three kinds of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I Disorder
The most severe form, Bipolar I, involves intense manic episodes that may last days or weeks, followed by deep depressive crashes. Symptoms of mania include:
Overconfidence and inflated self-esteem
Racing thoughts and fast speech
Minimal need for sleep
Difficulty concentrating
Increased irritability
Taking on too much at once
Engaging in risky behaviors
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II is characterized by hypomania, a less intense form of mania, combined with severe depressive episodes. Symptoms include:
Elevated energy levels, but not as extreme as Bipolar I
Periods of intense sadness or depression
Occasional breaks where mood feels stable
Cyclothymic Disorder
A milder form of bipolar disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, involves frequent mood shifts between:
Hypomania (a less severe form of mania)
Mild to moderate depression
How is bipolar disorder treated?
As every patient’s experience of bipolar disorder is unique to them, your provider at Pure Psychiatry takes an individualized approach to designing your treatment program.
You might need to take medications called mood stabilizers to stop the changes from mania to depression from being so extreme. Other medications like anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or antipsychotics might be necessary for some patients.
Talk therapy is another primary element of bipolar disorder treatment. Psychotherapy helps you deal with emotional problems in your life that make your condition worse. Behavioral approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help you learn practical ways of dealing with your symptoms.
When you find the correct balance of medication and supportive therapies, bipolar disorder becomes far more manageable and needn’t take over your life. Call Pure Psychiatry today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
Ready to take the first step?
Book an appointment with us today
Take the first step toward better mental health today. Call our office or book an appointment online to get started.