Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder symptoms may appear at any age, even in young children, but they most often occur between the ages of 14 to 21. At Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services, experienced psychiatric provider Stanley Okeyemi, PMHNP, diagnoses and treats bipolar disorder, providing the consistent medication management needed to stabilize mood swings. Stanley offers psychiatric assessments and treatment through telemedicine, allowing him to help people in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, Idaho, Connecticut, Nebraska, Florida, Iowa, and Arizona. Call the office today or click the online booking feature to get exceptional care for bipolar disorder.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes swings in your energy, mood, and behavior, but that doesn’t always mean you have extreme mania and depression. The severity of your symptoms and the frequency of your mood swings depend on the type of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder causes episodes of full-blown mania and major depression. Your manic episodes last at least one week and the symptoms are usually so severe that patients need hospitalization.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II disorder causes hypomania along with episodes of major depression. Hypomania causes the same symptoms as mania, but they’re less severe and usually don’t interfere with daily life.

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is defined by mood swings between mild hypomania and depression (less severe than major depression). Though your symptoms are milder, your mood swings last at least two years and are frequent enough to disrupt your daily life.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Mania and hypomania cause the following symptoms:

• Talking rapidly
• Feeling full of nonstop energy
• Needing little to no sleep
• Experiencing racing thoughts
• Feeling self-important
• Having delusions and/or hallucinations (only during severe manic episodes)
• Engaging in risky behaviors (such as overspending or driving while drinking)

During a depressive episode, you experience symptoms such as:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or anxious)
• Losing interest in hobbies and activities
• Losing or gaining weight (along with changes in your eating habits)
• Oversleeping or having trouble sleeping
• Feeling restless and irritable
• Having little to no energy
• Having difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Thinking about suicide

You may also have physical symptoms like muscle aches, headaches, and stomach or digestive problems.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Before recommending treatment, your Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services provider learns about your symptoms, reviews your medical history, and does a psychiatric evaluation.

Medications are essential for treating bipolar disorder. Your provider prescribes medicines that stabilize mood swings and can often put them into remission. They also treat any other mental health disorders you may have and help you find other treatments, such as therapy.

Bipolar is a challenging mental health condition, but with consistent treatment at Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services, you can achieve a fulfilling life. Call the office today or use online booking to request a telemedicine appointment.