What is Bipolar Disorder?
People suffering from bipolar disorder often experience periods during which they feel extremely happy and energetic and other periods when they feel very hopeless, sad, and fatigued. These highs and lows are two opposite “poles” of mood. While there are many different disorders that can result in mood swings, bipolar disorder is typically characterized by persisting states, with patients experiencing manic or depressive symptoms for days or weeks at a time. People with bipolar disorder often describe these mood swings as taking on a life of their own, though they can also occur in response to external factors.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Symptoms vary widely between individuals, and for some, an episode can last months or even years. Since bipolar disorder presents as either extreme elevated moods (hypomania or mania) or depressive moods (bipolar depression), symptoms vary.
Some common symptoms of hypomania or mania include:
- Impaired judgement
- Impulsivity
- Risky behavior
- Increased libido
- Grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep
- Rapid speech
- Racing thoughts
Symptoms of depression include:
- A depressed mood, feeling sad or down
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Inability to enjoy things one would normally enjoy
- Decreased energy or motivation
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Suicidal thoughts or increased thoughts of death
Treatment Options
Individual Therapy and Ongoing Treatment
Psychotherapy for bipolar disorder can relieve symptoms and equip patients with important tools they need to live their daily lives. Therapy can help people learn to recognize stressors that may cause a mood switch, identify symptoms of an episode in themselves, take the necessary steps to manage it, and ask for help from family, friends, and their psychiatrist.
Family Support and Education
For some adults, children, and teenagers with bipolar disorder, family therapy may be recommended. When a person is dealing with bipolar disorder, it can easily affect their entire family. Enlisting the help of immediate family members and equipping them with the knowledge they need to intervene during an episode is a great way to make sure treatment is lasting and effective.
Medication Management
Medication can be highly effective in helping people manage bipolar disorder and is usually considered a necessary part of treatment. You may be prescribed a combination of any of the following:
- Mood stabilizers
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antipsychotics
It is important to take your medication regularly and under the guidance of your psychiatrist.
The medications used to treat bipolar disorder often cause significant side effects. Ultimately, the goal of treatment is not simply to minimize the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but to maximize quality of life. For this reason, it is often necessary to try several different medications in order to find something that is both effective and well-tolerated.
Additionally, IV ketamine infusions have been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for bipolar depression and may be an option for you or your loved one suffering from bipolar disorder.
Our Bipolar Disorder Treatment Methodology
At Chrysalis Psychiatry, we offer compassionate treatment for bipolar disorder customized to each patient’s needs. We understand the challenges of coping with bipolar disorder and will work to find a treatment regimen that is as effective as possible while also striving to minimize side effects. Call Chrysalis Psychiatry at 505-503-6300 to schedule an appointment for bipolar disorder treatment in Albuquerque, or fill out our contact form, and we will reach out as soon as possible.