Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by unpredictable and dramatic changes in mood that impair your ability to function. Unlike the normal ups and downs you experience every day, bipolar disorder causes intense mood shifts, affecting your mood, energy levels, and daily life.
You might find yourself swinging between uncontrollably energetic manic highs and crushing depressive lows.
At Agentic Mental Health, we understand the struggles of bipolar disorder. Our team provides personalized treatment plans with medication and therapy to provide you with relief.
We use various approaches, such as pharmacogenomic testing and interpersonal & social rhythm therapy, for effective and quick results.
With bipolar disorder, your mood may shift between a low or high, resulting in mania, hypomania (a milder form of mania), or depressive episodes. Each of these episodes has varying symptoms, and their severity and duration differ for each person.
Manic episodes are identified by extremely high, elated, irritable, or energized behavior. If the manic episode is less severe, it may be classified as a hypomanic episode.
Symptoms of a hypomanic or manic episode include:
Hypomanic and manic episodes have similar symptoms, but they differ in intensity, duration, and impact on your daily functioning.
Depressive episodes are marked by very low, sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods. Symptoms of a depressive episode include:
It is also possible to experience a mixed episode in which you experience the symptoms of manic and depressive episodes simultaneously.
Bipolar disorder does not mean that you are always in a hypomanic, manic, or depressive state. You may experience periods of normal or balanced mood, also known as euthymia.
There are different types of bipolar disorder based on the frequency and differences in the episodes you experience.
People with Bipolar I Disorder have had at least one manic episode which lasts seven days or more. These episodes are typically severe enough to need hospitalization.
The manic episodes may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. However, the occurrence of a depressive episode is not necessary for diagnosis. Patients may also experience a mix of manic and depressive symptoms.
Instead of manic episodes, people with Bipolar II experience at least one hypomanic episode. In addition to a hypomanic episode, patients also have at least one major depressive episode.
Bipolar II Disorder is often seen as a less severe form of Bipolar I, but chronic depression is more prevalent in Bipolar II, which can make it more debilitating.
Cyclothymic Disorder is diagnosed when a person has chronically unstable mood states, causing episodes similar to hypomania and depression but less severe.
Despite being milder, cyclothymia can be debilitating due to its chronic and pervasive nature. Patients may also have brief periods of stability, but they usually last fewer than eight weeks.
This category is used when bipolar symptoms do not fit the criteria for the above types. These patients may experience significant abnormal mood elevation and may be diagnosed with other specified or unspecified bipolar disorders.
Bipolar disorder can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms sometimes overlap with other mental health conditions. Moreover, people often seek help when they are feeling low, during depressive episodes. This makes it difficult to distinguish it from depression.
At Agentic Mental Health, we adhere to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) to identify bipolar disorder. We consider your symptoms, medical history, personal experiences, and sometimes family history.
Our diagnostic process may include:
To diagnose the type of bipolar disorder, we analyze the pattern of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life during mood episodes.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. However, it can be effectively managed with a comprehensive, long-term treatment plan.
It is crucial to note that although the symptoms can vary over time in intensity, and you may experience periods of stability, bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment. Discontinuing treatment when you are not experiencing mood episodes often leads to a return of severe and debilitating symptoms.
At Agentic Mental Health, we employ various approaches to manage bipolar disorder effectively. Our team specializes in creating personalized treatment plans to ensure you receive effective relief.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is a treatment approach specifically designed to help patients with bipolar disorder manage their moods.
It focuses on two key areas:
This is based on the idea that changes in routine can trigger mood episodes in people with bipolar disorder.
Your daily habits and routines are called your social rhythms. When these rhythms get disrupted, it can throw off your circadian rhythm (your body's natural sleep-wake cycle), which can then impact your mood. Moreover, stress from interpersonal relationships and problems with sleep can also affect your mood.
IPSRT aims to minimize these disruptions by helping you develop and stick to a consistent daily routine. This can help regulate your sleep patterns and promote overall mood stability.
At Agentic Mental Health, we integrate IPSRT as a foundational approach to enhance long-term stability and overall well-being for bipolar disorder patients. We prioritize IPSRT to establish stability before proceeding with more intensive therapeutic interventions and treatments.
Mental health medications play a crucial role in managing bipolar disorder by stabilizing your mood and preventing relapse.
Our treatment approach at Agentic Mental Health encompasses various types of medications, such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiety medications, to alleviate your symptoms effectively.
We work closely with you to determine the most suitable medication and dosage tailored to your specific needs.
We utilize pharmacogenomic testing to personalize medication management. This testing analyzes how your genetic makeup influences your response to medications.
It enables us to identify the most effective medications without any trial and error and create a targeted treatment plan that delivers effective results.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be an effective treatment for managing bipolar disorder. Among its different types, psychodynamic therapy is a popular approach that explores how unconscious thoughts and past experiences influence current behavior and emotions.
Our therapists take a comprehensive approach to understanding your negative thought patterns and triggers. We work closely with you to develop effective coping mechanisms to handle different situations.
Mindfulness involves various practices and activities, such as exercise, yoga, and meditation, that have a positive impact on your brain and mental health. These habits help you become aware of your thoughts and emotions without feeling overwhelmed by them.
These activities help you feel relaxed and reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress associated with bipolar disorder.
Mindfulness can be beneficial in managing bipolar disorder by helping you recognize early signs of mood shifts. These practices can promote better self-regulation and impulse control during mood fluctuations.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms similar to that of bipolar disorder, it is crucial to seek help. Early intervention can improve treatment outcomes.
At Agentic Mental Health, we are dedicated to supporting your mental health and helping you regain control of your life and happiness. Our team works closely with you to create tailored treatment plans that can provide effective relief from bipolar disorder.
To book a consultation, call us at 434-284-5980 or schedule an appointment online.
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