Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is one of the most serious and complex mental health conditions. It’s also a lifelong disorder needing expert medical management and psychotherapy from Gregory Obiwuma, DNP, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, RN, and the team at New Era Recovery and Behavioral Health LLC. Their compassionate care is easy for everyone to access because they offer online telehealth and in-person appointments. If you need help for mood swings, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the office in Washington, DC, or click on the booking feature today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that causes swings between high-energy mania and low-energy depression. However, the frequency and severity of your mood episodes depend on the type of bipolar disorder.

You could have one of three types:

Bipolar I disorder

This type causes episodes of major depression and severe mania. The manic swings last at least seven days and often cause debilitating symptoms requiring hospitalization. Your mood is usually neutral between the swings.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II disorder also causes episodes of major depression, but your manic swings, called hypomania, are less severe than the full-scale mania of bipolar I disorder. Hypomania rarely disrupts your daily life.

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder causes frequent mood swings that last at least two years. During that time, you have depression and hypomania. Though your symptoms are less severe than major depression and mania, the frequent cycling can affect your daily life. Additionally, people with cyclothymic disorder have a higher risk of progressing to bipolar I or II disorder.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Hypomania and mania cause one or more of the following:

• Talking rapidly
• Having unstoppable energy
• Needing little to no sleep
• Experiencing racing thoughts
• Having an inflated sense of self-importance
• Engaging in risky behaviors (overspending, driving while drinking, etc.)

Manic episodes may also cause delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or smelling things that aren’t there).

Depression causes symptoms such as:

• Feeling worthless, hopeless, and sad
• Losing interest in activities you enjoy
• Withdrawing from your friends, partner, and family
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating too much or too little
• Gaining or losing weight
• Struggling to make decisions
• Feeling extreme fatigue and lack of energy
• Thinking about suicide

Depression may also cause muscle aches, headaches, and chronic pain.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Bipolar disorder requires mood-stabilizing medications to prevent mania and major depression. The New Era Recovery and Behavioral Health LLC team specializes in medication management. They ensure you get the best medication and dose using GeneSight® genetic testing, which reveals how your genes respond to mental health medications.

Psychotherapy is also an essential part of your treatment. During therapy, you can learn skills for managing bipolar disorder and its effect on your personal, professional, and social life.

Call New Era Recovery and Behavioral Health LLC or book an appointment online today to receive holistic, personalized care for bipolar disorder.