BIPOLAR DISORDER

                                                                 BIPOLAR DISORDER Q & A

                                                           What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep patterns and activity levels and engage in behaviors that are out of character for them—often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects.

                                                       There are three types of bipolar disorder. 

• Bipolar I disorder is defined by manic episodes that last for at least 7 days (nearly every day for most of the day) or by manic symptoms that are      so severe that the person needs immediate medical care. 
• Bipolar II disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. The hypomanic episodes are less severe than the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder.
• Cyclothymic disorder (also called cyclothymia) is defined by recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not intense enough or do not last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes.
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                                                 What are the Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Symptoms of a Manic Episode:

Feeling very up, high, elated, or extremely irritable or touchy

Having a decreased need for sleep

Feeling able to do many things at once without getting tired

Having excessive appetite for food, drinking, sex, or other pleasurable activities

Feeling unusually important, talented, or powerful

Symptoms of a Depressive Episode:

Feeling very down or sad, or anxious

Having trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, or sleeping too much

Talking very slowly, feeling unable to find anything to say, or forgetting a lot

Having trouble concentrating or making decisions

Having a lack of interest in almost all activities

Feeling hopeless or worthless, or thinking about death or suicide.

Our dedicated clinician will conduct the right diagnosis and treatment plan to help you manage bipolar disorder and live a healthy active life. Eunice conducts a completes physical examination and other necessary medical tests to rule out other possible causes.

Call A New You Psychiatry & Wellness Clinic or schedule a consultation online today if you’re concerned about bipolar disorder.