Bipolar Disorder Specialist

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder was once considered to be a single condition called manic-depressive disorder. Now we know there are three primary types: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic.

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder is diagnosed when you have at least one manic episode that’s severe enough to impair your daily functioning or require hospitalization. Most people also experience an episode of major depression before or after their manic episode. You could also have mania and depression at the same time.

Bipolar II disorder

This type occurs when you have episodes of major depression and hypomania. Hypomania has the same symptoms as full-blown mania, but is less severe and seldom affects your ability to function.

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder(also known as rapid cycling) causes frequent swings between hypomania and depression. You have many highs and lows, but your symptoms are less severe than the other two types.

What symptoms does a manic episode of bipolar disorder cause?

Manic episodes cause symptoms such as:

• Having high energy
• Increasing your activity level
• Finding it hard to sleep
• Experiencing racing thoughts
• Talking rapidly
• Needing to talk more than usual
• Feeling elated, anxious, or irritable
• Having an inflated sense of self-importance

You may also get involved in risky activities with potentially negative consequences, such as bad business investments, sexual indiscretions, or buying sprees.

What symptoms does a depressive episode of bipolar disorder cause?

The symptoms of bipolar depression are the same as those for major depression:

• Having low or no energy
• Feeling sad and hopeless
• Losing interest in your favorite activities
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Eating too much or too little
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Thinking about suicide

You may struggle with episodes of depression before you experience an episode of mania or hypomania.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

After completing a thorough psychological evaluation and determining your diagnosis, Dr. Rybakov recommends medication alone or together with psychotherapy. Bipolar I disorder often requires mood stabilizers to reduce and prevent manic and depressive episodes.

Psychotherapy focuses on learning to cope with the many issues faced by people with bipolar disorder. Your treatment may be designed to help you manage relationships, stress, sleep problems, or substance use disorders, to give you a few examples.

Bipolar disorder won’t improve without experienced treatment from Dr. Mark Rybakov, DO. Book your appointment here on the website or call one of the offices today.