Bipolar Disorder

The dramatic changes in mood from mania to profound depression typical of bipolar disorder can be exhausting and make everyday life impossible. If you have bipolar disorder symptoms, visit Grace Muthami, PMHNP-BC, of Brightmind Wellness, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Grace helps patients with this lifelong condition embrace the highs, navigate the lows, and develop resilience. Effective bipolar disorder management is available to all Pennsylvania residents via telehealth. Simply call Brightmind Wellness or request an appointment online today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes you to experience extreme mood swings. There are distinctive stages or mood episodes with bipolar disorder — manic (excitable), hypomanic (mildly excitable), and depressive (low mood).

The changes are often dramatic, with months of deep depression suddenly changing to a feeling of limitless energy and power for a week or so before depression takes over again.

Such switches are exhausting and have a devastating impact on everyday functions. The most severe form of the condition is bipolar I disorder.

What is bipolar I disorder?

Bipolar I disorder causes the most extreme mood changes. When you’re in the manic phase, you might experience symptoms such as:

• Exaggerated self-esteem
• Little need for sleep
• Talking quickly and loudly
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability and bursts of temper
• Doing too much
• Carrying out risky activities
• Having racing thoughts

You might spend all your money, overuse your credit card, or start a fight when in a manic phase. After a week or so, the mania subsides, and such a thick blanket of depression descends that you struggle to get out of bed.

You then feel overcome by shame and guilt about your behavior during the manic episode, with fatigue and self-loathing replacing the boundless energy and self-confidence.

What other types of bipolar disorder might affect me?

There are two other types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar II disorder

People with bipolar II disorder typically experience hypomania, where the episodes of mania are less extreme than with bipolar I. Between bouts of depression and mania, you might go through periods of feeling more settled. However, the depressive stages of bipolar II disorder tend to be severe.

Cyclothymic disorder

People with cyclothymic disorder have frequent and reasonably constant swings between mania and depression that are less severe than bipolar I or II.

What treatments can help me manage bipolar disorder?

Grace personalizes your bipolar disorder treatment to address the issues you experience. Medications, such as mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants, are often valuable for leveling out mood swings, but it can take time to find the optimal balance.

Psychotherapy is also an essential aspect of your bipolar disorder treatment plan at Brightmind Wellness. Talk therapies help you understand why you have these changes in mood and show you how to manage your bipolar disorder more successfully.

If you’re battling extreme mood swings, Brightmind Wellness offers compassion, understanding, and practical support via telehealth to any Pennsylvania resident. Call the office or book an appointment online today.