Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. The highs and lows of Bipolar Disorder are much different than the average person's good or bad moods. Mood swings from Bipolar Disorder can occur with no apparent reason and last for longer than is appropriate for a change in mood.
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Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I
A person must have a manic episode lasting seven or more days to receive a Bipolar I diagnosis. Hypomania and depression may occur but not as often or severely as full manic episodes.
Bipolar II
A Bipolar II diagnosis requires a major depressive episode that lasts for at least two weeks. This type of Bipolar Disorder does not cause mania, but episodes of hypomania and depression are prevalent.
Cyclothymia
This type of Bipolar Disorder causes mood swings, but they are less severe and don't last as long as episodes in Bipolar I or Bipolar II. Cyclothymia never causes mania, and episodes of hypomania and depression are mild.
Is There a Bipolar Test?
Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder is not as clear-cut as diagnosing diabetes or a broken bone. The journey to a Bipolar Disorder diagnosis usually begins with a physical exam and testing to rule out medical conditions that may be causing symptoms, like hypothyroidism. You'll receive a psychological evaluation if your doctor cannot find a physical cause.
During a psychological evaluation, we ask if there is a history of Bipolar Disorder, depression, or anxiety in your family. We discuss your symptoms – when they began, their severity, and if you've experienced them before. The illness can present at any age, but the typical age of diagnosis is a person's late teens or early 20s.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
The symptoms of mania, hypomania, and depression will have a noticeable impact on your ability to work, your social life, and your ability to perform day-to-day activities.
Depressive symptoms
Five or more of the following symptoms must be present for a diagnosable depressive episode:
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
- A significant change in your weight or appetite
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Being restless or moving much slower than is normal
- Chronic fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Lessened ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
- Thinking about, planning for, or attempting suicide
Mania and hypomania
Mania and hypomania are distinct but share the same symptoms. A manic or hypomanic episode includes at least three of the following symptoms:
- Being abnormally jumpy or on edge
- An increase in your energy, activity level, or agitation
- Feelings of grandiosity or heightened self-confidence
- A decrease in your need for sleep
- Being more talkative than usual and speaking at a faster pace
- Racing thoughts
- Increased distractibility
- Impulsive behavior, including reckless spending and risk-taking that you don't usually do
Benefits of Seeing a Therapist for Bipolar Disorder
Therapy is incredibly beneficial for all mental health conditions, including Bipolar Disorder. Many people with Bipolar Disorder find that couples or family therapy can help their loved ones understand the illness and provide better support. A therapist can help you to accept that Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong illness and develop coping strategies for symptoms of mania and depression.
Managing Bipolar Disorder
Therapy and medication are two valuable tools for managing Bipolar Disorder, but there are other steps you can take to help maintain a stable mood:
- Use a mood diary. Keeping track of your mood can help you spot patterns that occur before an episode of mania or depression. It can also help determine if a new medication or dosage is adequate.
- Stick to a routine. Knowing what to expect throughout your day will help you feel calm and can lessen anxiety.
- Use the coping skills you learn during therapy to manage stress before it becomes a bigger problem.
- Take care of your physical health. Physical health problems can increase your stress levels, affecting your mood.
- Know who you can turn to for support when you need it. Having a reliable support system in place can really help.
The Mind Matters Difference
Our team of therapists knows that your mind matters, and we can help you harness its power so you can live a happier, more balanced life. You're more than just a client file to us; we don't have a cookie-cutter approach to Bipolar Disorder Therapy. Mental health is vital for everyone, and our goal is to make treatment accessible and welcoming to anyone who needs it.
Bipolar Therapists Near Lexington, Kentucky and Columbus, Ohio
A Bipolar Disorder diagnosis may feel intimidating, but with proper treatment, most people can continue living life as they always have. Our experienced therapists are committed to helping you manage your symptoms so Bipolar Disorder has less of an impact on your life. Contact Mind Matters today to schedule an appointment with a bipolar therapist. We offer therapy services in Lexington, Kentucky, Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding area.