Everyone has times when they’re feeling up and times when they feel down. This is part of what makes recognizing bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, such a challenge.
As a mood-affecting psychiatric condition, bipolar disorder causes mood cycles that swing between low-energy depressive phases and high-energy manic phases. But the severity, duration, and characteristics of these cycles can vary between people, which can make it difficult to know if bipolar disorder is the cause.
If you suspect bipolar disorder, it’s important to talk with a mental health provider who can accurately diagnose the condition. Triple-board-certified psychiatrist Shakil Tukdi, MD, and our team of mental health specialists at Ultimate Psychiatry in Plano, Frisco, Prosper, and Pearland, Texas, can help.
We offer a full range of mental health services, including comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment solutions for bipolar disorder. If you’re worried your loved one might have bipolar disorder, take a moment to learn more about recognizing the signs of the condition and the ways we can help.
Bipolar disorder affects about 4% of American adults and is characterized by extreme changes in energy, behavior, and mood. The high-energy phases of the disorder involve periods of mania or hypomania, while the low-energy phases include periods of depression.
Mania involves an abnormally elevated mood, a persistently irritable mood, or having unusual amounts of energy for a week or longer. Some of the most common signs of mania include:
Hypomania is a milder form of manic symptoms that’s not as extreme and doesn’t last as long.
The depressive period involves low mood and other symptoms of depression for long periods, which may include:
Sometimes people in the depressive cycle may think about death and/or suicide.
It’s important to understand that not all people with bipolar disorder have the same variation of the condition. There are four types of bipolar disorder:
Since the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder vary, and the severity, characteristics, and duration of mania and depression differ between people, bipolar disorder can be challenging to recognize and diagnose. For this reason, it’s necessary to seek professional help if you suspect bipolar disorder.
Your loved one may have some of the above symptoms, but bipolar disorder symptoms can be difficult to recognize or easily confused with other mental health disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Look for the following signs, which could mean they need help:
You can help by noting different symptoms, their duration, and changes you observe. This can help your loved one, who might not recognize these symptoms in themself — especially during manic or hypomanic phases when they feel good and their mood is elevated. You can also encourage them to seek help for their mood symptoms and offer unconditional love and support.
At Ultimate Psychiatry, we have many options for managing bipolar symptoms and minimizing future mood episodes. We start with a comprehensive evaluation to rule out any underlying conditions and to confirm a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The evaluation may include:
Every patient’s bipolar treatment plan is personalized based on their needs and preferences. The most effective management plans for bipolar disorder often include an integrated plan that combines lifestyle changes with therapy and medications.
If you’re concerned that your loved one may have bipolar disorder, learn more by scheduling an appointment online or over the phone with Ultimate Psychiatry today.
