Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy levels. A person with bipolar disorder experiences periods of mania (elevated mood) and periods of depression, with normal mood in between.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not fully understood, but researchers believe it results from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Brain imaging studies show differences in the brains of people with bipolar disorder compared to those without the illness. Abnormalities in certain neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin, also seem to play a role.
Symptoms
The symptoms of bipolar disorder depend on which phase the person is experiencing:
Manic Phase
Some symptoms of a manic phase include:
- Feeling unusually upbeat, jumpy, or wired
- Increased energy, activity, restlessness
- Rapid speech and poor concentration
- Reduced need for sleep
- Reckless behavior like sprees, ill-advised financial choices
Depressive Phase
Some symptoms of a depressive phase include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Changes in appetite and sleep habits
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
The mood episodes in bipolar disorder are intense and impair a person’s ability to function in daily life. There can be periods of stable mood in between episodes.
Types
Several types of bipolar disorder differ based on the severity and frequency of the mood episodes:
- Bipolar I involves extreme manic episodes that may include psychosis.
- Bipolar II involves less severe mania (hypomanic episodes) but recurrent major depression.
- Cyclothymic Disorder involves chronic, fluctuating mood disturbances that don’t reach full manic or depressive episodes.
Getting an Accurate Diagnosis
Since bipolar symptoms can overlap with other mental health disorders like major depression and schizophrenia, getting an accurate diagnosis is essential to guide treatment. Capitol Ketamine & Wellness provides comprehensive psychiatric assessment and testing to confirm a bipolar diagnosis before creating a customized treatment plan.
Treatments
It requires long-term, continuous treatment with medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and social support to manage symptoms. Common treatments may include:
Medications
Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and sometimes antidepressants can help smooth out mood highs and lows. Finding the right med combo takes time.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy provides coping skills, symptom management, thought pattern awareness, and emotional support to deal with the challenges of bipolar disorder. Capitol Ketamine & Wellness offers individual and group therapy.
Ketamine Infusions
As an emerging therapy, ketamine infusions can rapidly reduce bipolar depression when other treatments haven’t worked. The psychedelic effects are temporary while the antidepressant effects can last weeks to months for some people.
Lifestyle Management
Establishing daily routines, healthy habits, communication skills, and boundaries can help stabilize mood. Limiting alcohol and lack of sleep is especially essential.
If you or someone you love struggles with suspected or diagnosed bipolar disorder, the compassionate team at Capitol Ketamine & Wellness is here to help every step of the way. Call today to find out how we can work together on your path to healing and whole health.