Bipolar Disorder Specialist

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, meaning it affects the way you feel. More specifically, it causes your emotions to shift dramatically and go through vastly different phases. 

These shifts in mood can cause difficulty at home, work, school, or among peers and loved ones in other places. Most people start to get symptoms around age 25, but you can start noticing the extreme ups and downs of bipolar disorder earlier or later in life. 

The team at Labyrinth Psychiatry Group offers evidence-based diagnostic evaluations for bipolar disorder and several therapeutic options for bipolar disorder management.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder signs and symptoms have two categories: depression and mania. Depressive symptoms are the “lows,” and manic symptoms are the “highs.” Episodes of depression tend to last for at least two weeks, and manic episodes are usually shorter and, in some ways, riskier. 

When you come to Labyrinth Psychiatry Group for an evaluation, the team assesses symptoms of depression, mania, and a third category called hypomania:

Depression

Depressive symptoms must include intense sadness or loss of interest in normal activities and topics, coupled with other symptoms that vary from person to person. You might experience insomnia, fatigue, guilt, or suicidal thoughts during these periods. 

Mania

Mania causes high spirits and high energy. During manic episodes, people report feeling invincible and motivated. Other likely symptoms include fast speech, racing thoughts, little sleep, and impulsivity. 

Hypomania

Hypomania, a less intense form of mania, does not occur for everyone with bipolar disorder. During hypomanic periods, you might experience some euphoria and motivation but not enough to affect your schoolwork, work, or relationships. 

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Treating bipolar disorder is a specialty at Labyrinth Psychiatry Group. After your initial evaluation and diagnosis, the team collaborates on an individualized treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms, so they don’t have as large of an impact on your life, productivity, and relationships. 

You might need to try a few strategies, or combinations of treatments, before finding one that works well for you. Treatments that often work well in bipolar disorder management are:

• Medications (e.g., mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants)
• Individual psychotherapy
• Group psychotherapy
• Neurofeedback
• Neuromodulation
• Lifestyle changes (e.g., a set eating and sleeping routine, journaling) 

During your time in treatment with Labyrinth Psychiatry Group, you can check in with in-person visits or convenient telehealth visits that you can access from anywhere. That reduces office visits and travel time while keeping you in consistent contact with your mental health care providers. 

Schedule your consultation for bipolar disorder evaluation and treatment by calling Labyrinth Psychiatry Group or booking an appointment online today.