Bipolar Disorder
Hope Mental Health
Psychiatric Mental Health Care located in Meridian, ID, McCall, ID, Provo, UT, Boise, ID, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Montana and Oregon
Nearly six million adults in the United States are affected by bipolar disorder, which is a widely misunderstood condition. At Hope Mental Health, Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN, has the knowledge and experience necessary to properly diagnose and treat bipolar disorder, helping patients in Meridian and Boise, Idaho and the Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Montana areas, lead happy, productive lives. For expert help with bipolar disorder, please call or use the online scheduler.
Bipolar Disorder
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition that involves moderate-to-extreme mood changes that range from manic “highs” to depressive “lows.” Bipolar illness affects both genders and occurs across all ethnic groups. The average age of onset is 25 years old, but bipolar disorder can develop throughout adulthood.
There’s no known cause of bipolar disorder, but research has discovered that genetics play a key role as two-thirds of those with bipolar disorder have a close family member with the diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder contains two elements — depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. The following are the most common signs of each.
Depressive symptoms
In this category, you may notice:
- Feeling sad and hopeless
- Lack of energy
- Sleep issues
- Loss of pleasure
- Difficulty with concentration
- Anxiety
In extreme cases, thoughts of suicide may crop up.
Manic/Hypomanic symptoms
Going to the other end of the mood spectrum, manic episodes often come with:
- Elation
- Racing thoughts
- Rapid speech, cutting off people
- Risky behaviors
- Hyperactivity
- Agitation
- Troubles sleeping
- Doing more activities at once than practical
- Problems with focus, concentration and short term memory
- In some cases, psychosis.
Based on the above, it follows that lack of sleep is a problem during manic episodes.
What are the types of bipolar disorder?
There are four types of bipolar disorder, all of which Hope Mental Health diagnoses and treats. The following is a list of symptoms to look out for under each type of the condition.
Bipolar I disorder
This form of bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme manic episodes that last a week or more and often require hospitalization. It also includes depressive episodes that last two weeks or more.
Bipolar II disorder
Ongoing cycles of manic and depressive episodes, though they’re not as severe as bipolar I.
Cyclothymic disorder
Persistent manic and depressive episodes that last for two years or more (one year in children), but these episodes don’t diagnostically qualify as “hypomanic” or “depressive.”
The final type of bipolar disorder is a catchall for forms of the disorder that don’t meet the criteria for the three listed above.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
There’s no magic potion when it comes to bipolar disorder, but there’s much that the team at Hope Mental Health can do to help you manage the symptoms. While medications may play a role for immediate problem-solving, the team at Hope Mental Health prefers an integrative and holistic approach that delivers long-term solutions and coping mechanisms.
Through the latest psychotherapy protocols, including behavioral work, the providers at Hope Mental Health can help control the mood swings, allowing you to lead a more even-keeled life.
To get started on your bipolar treatment, call Hope Mental Health, or use the online scheduling tool.