Bipolar

The mood swings triggered by bipolar disorder can make you feel out of control. But with help from Kingwood Psychiatry, you can get the treatment you need to gain control over your bipolar disorder and overcome the challenges that come with it. Call Kingwood Psychiatry in Kingwood or The Woodlands, Texas, today or schedule your in-office or telemedicine appointment online.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes acute changes in mood and energy, affecting how you think, feel, and behave. People with bipolar disorder cycle between periods where they feel extremely happy and elated (manic) to periods where they’re sad and low (depressive).

The severity of the symptoms determines which bipolar disorder you have. They include:

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder causes the most severe symptoms. People with this type have severe manic episodes that last more than seven days or require hospitalization.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II disorder is less extreme. People with this type fluctuate between hypomanic episodes and depression. Hypomania is less severe than mania and doesn’t require hospitalization.

Cyclothymic disorder

People with cyclothymic disorder fluctuate between hypomanic and depressive episodes for more than two years or one year in children and adolescents. However, their symptoms aren’t severe enough to be diagnosed bipolar.

People with cyclothymic disorder also have periods where their mood is normal. But these periods don’t last longer than two months.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder symptoms fall into two groups: manic symptoms and depressive symptoms.

Manic symptoms 

Manic symptoms cause periods of high energy and the need for very little sleep. During these episodes, you can also feel irritable and anxious. You might also have delusions (believing in something that isn’t real) and hallucinations (smelling, seeing, or hearing things that aren’t there).

Depressive symptoms

Depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder cause low energy and mood. You withdraw from friends and family and lose interest in activities.

The length of the episodes varies but can last days or weeks, depending on the type.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Kingwood Psychiatry conducts a thorough evaluation before making treatment recommendations for bipolar disorder. The evaluation’s goal is to determine the correct diagnosis and assess the severity of your symptoms.

Treatment for bipolar disorder can include:

• Psychiatric medication
• Psychotherapy
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Ketamine

Kingwood Psychiatry recommends TMS or ketamine only if traditional psychiatric treatments fail to improve your bipolar disorder symptoms.

Call Kingwood Psychiatry today or schedule your in-office or telemedicine appointment online to learn about treatments for bipolar disorder.