Elsewhere on our site, we talked in detail about what depression is, what its symptoms are, and how it can be treated. Here’s you’ll find information on bipolar disorder, a condition in which patients often shift back and forth between feelings of depression and a sense of euphoria and intense energy—feelings on the other end of the spectrum completely. The intensity and frequency of these mood swings will vary from patient to patient, but regardless of how strong they are or how often they occur, it’s possible to bring your symptoms under control through a personalized treatment plan from Dr. Michael Madow.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Because every patient’s experience with bipolar disorder is different, doctors have created different subtypes to make treatment more effective. These subtypes include:
- Bipolar I disorder
- Bipolar II disorder
- Cyclothymic disorder
The difference between each of these is how severe they are, with bipolar I disorder being the strongest and cyclothymic disorder being the weakest. What’s more, a patient may be more likely to experience one emotion over the other. In some, depression may be the dominant feeling, while others may feel euphoria more likely than not.
Symptoms of the manic phase include:
- Racing thoughts
- Irritability or aggressive behavior
- Increased sex drive
- Rapid speech
- Trouble paying attention
Symptoms of the depressive phase include:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Low energy or fatigue
For a complete list of symptoms for biopolar disorder, visit the Mayo Clinic’s page for biopolar disorder symptoms.
What Causes Biopolar Disorder
As with depression, it would be a mistake to think that changes in mood are only caused by life events. Those can play a part, but the real cause lies elsewhere. Differences in the way the brain functions, as well as an imbalance of neurotransmitters and hormones can all play a role in determining the presence and severity of biopolar disorder.
Treating Biopolar Disorder
In talking about depression, we mentioned some of the complications that patients could face if they put off or avoid treatment. Many of those are the same with bipolar disorder. By putting off or avoiding treatment for bipolar disorder, patients from Henderson, Las Vegas, Summerlin, and Boulder City could experience a range of complications, including:
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Financial difficulties
- Conflicts with friends, family, or coworkers
But to treat your bipolar disorder, Dr. Michael Madow doctor must first determine exactly what type you have. To find out more about the diagnosis process, visit the Mayo Clinic’s pages on testing and diagnosing the condition.
Once a diagnosis has been made, Dr. Madow doctor can create a personalized treatment plan designed to help you reclaim your life again. As with other conditions, treatment can involve a combination of therapy at our Henderson or Las Vegas office and a prescription medication. There are different medications that can help, though, so one of the first challenges is finding a specific medication and dosage that’s right for you. Because bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment, what regimen you start with may change over time as your symptoms are gradually balanced. You can read more about treating bipolar disorder here.
Henderson psychiatrist Dr. Michael Madow provides comprehensive psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological services for patients in Henderson, Las Vegas, Summerlin, and Boulder City.
Dr. Madow’s website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. For a diagnosis, please call our Henderson or Las Vegas office to schedule a consultation visit with Dr. Madow. A diagnosis can only be made under the care of a licensed professional.