If you are struggling with bipolar disorder, it is important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. The best way to guide treatment is to find a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, such as a psychiatrist, with experience in treating bipolar disorders and related disorders. You may also have a treatment team that includes a psychologist, social worker, and psychiatric nurse. Psychologists and some mental health counselors can provide psychotherapy, or talk therapy, which is an essential part of treatment.
Through therapy, people can learn coping methods that can help prevent prolonged periods of illness, prolonged hospital stays, and suicide. Psychologists and psychiatrists are also specially qualified to perform psychological and neuropsychological tests. These tests can help clarify diagnoses, educational and learning problems, developmental problems, and other behavioral or emotional issues. During a psychological evaluation, the specialist will ask about your family history of bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your symptoms - when they started, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, if they have occurred before, and if so, how they were treated. Do you feel very happy and outgoing or very irritable on some days but unusually sad or anxious on other days? Do periods of “increase” go hand in hand with increased energy or activity? Do the “lows” go hand in hand with low energy, hopelessness, or an inability to enjoy what you normally like to do and sometimes suicidal thoughts? Do these mood swings make it difficult to sleep, stay focused, or get things done? If so, you may have a lifelong but treatable mental disorder called bipolar disorder. How does hospitalization fit into your treatment? People with bipolar disorder who also have psychotic symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
There are three basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. An individual with bipolar disorder may have manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed episodes”.Researchers continue to study genetics and bipolar disorder, brain function and symptoms in children and adolescents who have bipolar disorder, as well as family history of health and behavior. That's why it's essential to seek medical attention and maintain commitment to treatment for bipolar disorder. Antidepressants are never used as the only medication to treat bipolar disorder because just taking an antidepressant medication can trigger a manic episode. Some people with bipolar disorder also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which usually develops before bipolar disorder.
Medications to Relieve Symptoms of Unipolar Depression May Trigger Manic Episodes in People with Bipolar Disorder. Because of this, people who have bipolar disorder often don't get the medical care and treatment they need. Research shows that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is useful for many people with various subtypes of depression but its role in treating bipolar disorder is still being studied. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotions, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and uncharacteristic behaviors that can have harmful or undesirable effects on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. It is important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional if you are struggling with bipolar disorder.
