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Depression Bipolar and Mood disorders

What is Bipolar Disorder: Is it Treatable?

Common Ground Psychiatry has made it their mission to be a mental health provider you can trust. Plenty of successful people have bipolar disorder and are able to live life fully and even more abundantly with the correct treatment. We have an innate passion and drive to work with people to get their medications right.

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How can we help? If you’ve asked yourself the following questions we’d love to meet with you help you get better clarity.

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  • Have you taken medications in the past that didn’t help, or made you feel worse?

  • Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and you want to see if the diagnosis is correct?

  • Have you been reading about bipolar disorder and want to know if this is actually ‘what it is’?

  • Are you wanting to get back on medication for mood and work with someone closely to get a good fit?

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According to the DSM V criteria for bipolar, for one to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the person must exhibit symptoms of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with a minimum of one episode of mania or hypomania. These signs should last for a period of a week. The symptoms should also be experienced constantly for most of a day, for every day within this week.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder as expressed earlier is divided into two episodes both manic and depressive. The symptoms for each are different.

Mania or Hypomania

One has to have three or more of these symptoms to be considered as experiencing mania or hypomania:

  • The need for sleep has drastically lessened

  • Going days without sleep while having increased energy to complete tasks

  • Presence of racing thoughts

  • Easily distracted

  • Grandiosity/exaggerated self-esteem

  • Exposing self to activities that pose great danger

  • Making decisions uncharacteristic of yourself

  • Doing things that are impulsive

Depression Symptoms

For bipolar disorder a key aspect is the experience of major depressive disorder. In accordance with the stipulations of the DSM-V one should experience at least five of the symptoms listed:

  • Depressed mood lasting for the majority of the day for almost every day

  • Decreased appetite

  • Weight loss

  • Fatigue

  • Inability to concentrate

  • Suicidal ideation/attempt

  • Loss of interest in activities once loved

  • Feelings of guilt

  • Feelings of worthlessness

  • Feelings of restlessness

Treatment

As earlier mentioned, though the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be rather extreme, it is very much treatable and Common Ground Psychiatry will be with you every step of the way.

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Treatment options normally consist of psychotherapy and medication. Medication is often immediately administered to stabilize mood to prevent other complications. It is important that you agree with your treatment plan.  After meeting and understanding what you’re experiencing and what your goals are, Common Ground Psychiatry will explain the various options and you are free to choose a path that resonates with you.

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Regardless of the cause or risk factor related to bipolar disorder is treatable.  Common Ground Psychiatry can get you back to sleeping better, feeling less anxious, and living the life you want.

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