The first signs of bipolar disorder typically occur around age 25, but the condition can also begin in teens and, less commonly, in children. At any age, bipolar disorder needs immediate treatment from the experienced team at Associates in Behavioral Science. They offer comprehensive care, including mood-stabilizing medications and psychotherapy for individuals and families. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Berwyn, Illinois, or book online today. The team typically sees people within 24 hours, so you don’t need to wait to get help for your symptoms.
request an appointmentWhat is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder was originally called manic-depressive disorder because the condition causes mood swings between mania and depression. However, you can have different types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I disorder
This type is like the original manic-depressive disorder. You have episodes of severe mania and major depression, usually with a neutral period between the highs and lows. Manic episodes cause such severe symptoms that they affect your ability to function and often require hospitalization.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder is defined by episodes of hypomania and major depression. Hypomania causes less severe symptoms than full-blown mania, allowing most people to keep up with their daily life.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder causes less severe symptoms than hypomania and major depression. However, this type also causes frequent mood swings, often going back and forth so quickly that you don’t have a neutral (stable) period between swings.
What symptoms occur due to bipolar disorder?
During a manic episode, you may:
- Feel very energetic
- Have excessive physical energy
- Need little sleep
- Talk rapidly
- Experience racing thoughts
- Have an inflated sense of importance
- Engage in risky behaviors (overspending, drinking while driving)
You may experience delusions and hallucinations during a manic episode. Delusions occur when you believe something is real even though it isn’t. Hallucinations make you see, hear, feel, or smell something that isn’t really there.
During an episode of bipolar depression, you may:
- Lose interest in your favorite activities
- Withdraw from friends and family
- Sleep more or less than usual
- Eat more or less than usual
- Find it hard to make decisions
- Feel anxious
- Think about suicide
Many people have physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and chronic pain when depressed.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but treatment that combines mood-stabilizing medications with psychotherapy can help you manage the disorder and prevent it from disrupting your life.
During therapy, you may learn to recognize the signs of an approaching mood swing and how to prevent it. Your therapist may also teach you ways to cope with the disorder’s impact on your life. For example, you may need help reducing stress or learning how to control your emotions.
People with bipolar disorder tend to have disrupted sleep rhythms. Your therapist works with you to create a routine that stabilizes your sleep-wake cycles and eases your symptoms.
If you have symptoms of bipolar disorder, call the Associates in Behavioral Science or book an appointment online today.