What is Bipolar Disorder?
Unlike traditional depression where people get down and depressed, bipolar depression has a cycling pattern. Most people with bipolar experience 1-3 weeks of depression for no apparent reason and then they cycle up into a manic phase for about 1-2 weeks. Mania involves symptoms of high energy, racing thoughts, pressured speech, inflated esteem, reckless behavior, and a reduced need for sleep. This cycling pattern continues with people not hitting “normal” moods very often or for very long. Onset is generally between age 16-24 and has a strong genetic component tending to run in families. Over time the cycle’s highs and lows get worse. Often people with bipolar disorder end up in the hospital due to these extremes.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Bipolar disorder can take some time to diagnosis properly. There is no blood test or even psychological test to determine bipolar disorder. It is typically diagnosed by symptom report, and it is best to log and track symptoms and moods for a few months to make sure the cycling pattern is evident. Once diagnosed, medications are often a necessity in treatment. Antidepressants alone are rarely adequate and can even make things worse by throwing people into a manic state. A class of drugs called mood stabilizers are the most effect at keep people on the even keel with moods. Therapy is a useful adjunct to medications designed to help with monitoring, medication compliance, and learning coping skills.
Why is it Important to See a Psychiatrist for Bipolar Disorder?
Most family doctors do not have experience working with mood stabilizers. Psychiatrists have extensive experience with mood stabilizers. Complicating matters is the fact that mood stabilizers often need adjunct or supplemental meds like antidepressants or antipsychotics. Finding the right balance of medication to stabilize bipolar disorder can be tricky and the skill of a psychiatrist is often needed.
If you are concerned about diagnosing or treating bipolar disorder and would like to meet with someone from our psychiatric team, feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule an appointment. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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