Bipolar Disorder

What causes bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder — formerly known as manic depression — leads to extreme mood swings. You can experience emotional highs (mania or hypomania), then fall to severe depressive lows with almost no warning. Since bipolar disorder is complex, it can stem from many different factors including:

• A family history of bipolar disorder
• Episodes of high stress or trauma
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Brain abnormalities or neurotransmitter imbalances

Understanding early warning signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder is important, especially if you have a family history of it. While no cure exists, the condition can certainly be managed with the help of a qualified psychiatric medical professional.

How can I tell if I have bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder leads to distinct signs and symptoms that can vary from each episode. During a primarily euphoric or irritable mood you may notice:

• Feeling jumpy, wired, or overly upbeat
• Racing thoughts or being easily distracted
• Poor decision making or impulsiveness
• Decreased need for sleep

But when the high stages wind down and you start slipping into a major depressive episode, you could experience:

• Feeling sad, unhappy, or empty
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Restlessness or slowed behavior
• Fatigue or loss of energy

Sometimes men and women who have bipolar disorder also have anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychosis, or other mental health condition that worsens bipolar disorder symptoms.

What is the treatment for bipolar disorder?

Treating bipolar disorder typically involves having a thorough medical and mental health evaluation with Intrepid Mental Wellness. Our skilled psychiatric nurse practitioners are experts at recognizing bipolar disorder symptoms and finding effective medications, which can include:

• Mood stabilizers
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Atypical antipsychotics

Antidepressants are also a treatment option, but we use them with caution because antidepressant use without adequate mood stabilization can worsen symptoms and increase the risk of manic episodes.

Finding the right medication to manage bipolar disorder often takes some trial and error and changes to dosages. Our providers understand that side effects, such as weight gain, are always a concern. This is why we focus on selecting medication options for our patients that have the lowest risk of side effects.  

Visiting with your provider regularly and taking your medication exactly as prescribed can help stabilize your moods over time. Our psychiatric nurse practitioners can  collaborate with your team of mental health practitioners and medical doctors to ensure your medication and treatment plan works to improve your quality of life.

Get started on your custom bipolar disorder treatment at Intrepid Mental Wellness today. Book your visit either by submitting a "contact us" inquiry or by calling the clinic.