About 2.8% of adults experience the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder in any given year, and about 83% of these cases are considered severe. Spencer Simon, PA-C, and the team at Beautiful Mind Behavioral Health Services offer a multifaceted approach to managing bipolar disorder at their locations in Burlington and Greensboro, North Carolina. To learn how you can live a happier, more stable life with bipolar disorder, call your nearest office or book an appointment online today.
Previously called manic depression, bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think clearly.
Bipolar disorder involves periods of high mood and energy (manic episodes) and low ones (depressive episodes). Periods of less-severe mania are known as hypomanic episodes.
There are four main types of bipolar disorder and related conditions:
Bipolar I involves manic episodes that persist longer than seven days or are severe enough to require immediate hospital care. Depressive and hypomanic episodes may also occur.
Bipolar II involves a pattern of depressive and hypomanic episodes without full-blown mania. However, this disorder isn’t a less-severe form of bipolar I.
Also called cyclothymia, this disorder involves many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that last for at least two years (one year for children). These symptoms don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for a depressive or hypomanic episode.
This group involves periods of abnormal moods that are clinically significant but don’t qualify for any of the three bipolar disorders.
People with bipolar disorder experience distinct periods of unusually intense changes in their emotional state, behavior, sleep patterns, and activity levels. Symptoms and their severity can vary, but often include:
Mania and hypomania are separate types of episodes, but they share many of the same symptoms, including:
Full-blown mania is more severe and may involve a break from reality (psychosis).
A depressive episode may include:
Depressive episodes may also lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts. If you’re thinking about hurting yourself, go to the nearest emergency room or call the suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
The team at Beautiful Mind Behavioral Health Services offers a holistic, multifaceted approach to treating bipolar disorder. They consider your specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs before they develop an individualized treatment plan.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but the team at Beautiful Mind Behavioral Health Services provides evidence-based treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy, to help you take control of your life.
Call Beautiful Mind Behavioral Health Services or book an appointment online today to get the care you need to manage bipolar disorder.