Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder causes mood swings between high-energy mania and low-energy depression, but your symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on the type. At Puentes Medical Consultants, Bobbi Bridges, AGACNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, specializes in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder. Your personalized care includes mood-stabilizing medication, therapy to support your ongoing life, and attention to holistic issues such as restoring your sleep routine and getting adequate nutrition. To schedule a telemedicine appointment, call the office in San Antonio, Texas, or St. Petersburg, Florida, or book online today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Many people remember bipolar disorder by its original name, manic depression. The old name accurately describes its hallmark symptoms of swings between mania and depression. But there are several types, and they don’t all cause such severe symptoms:

Bipolar I disorder

People with bipolar I disorder have the expected episodes of mania and major depression. Their manic episodes are severe, last at least a week, and often need hospitalization to restore a more neutral mood.

Bipolar II disorder

People with bipolar II disorder experience swings between hypomania and major depression. Hypomania causes the same mania symptoms, but they’re less severe, allowing you to take care of your daily responsibilities and activities.

Cyclothymic disorder

This type of bipolar disorder causes more frequent mood swings than bipolar I and II, but you have mild symptoms that don’t qualify as hypomania or major depression.

What symptoms does bipolar disorder cause?

During an episode of full-blown mania, you have high-energy symptoms lasting most of the day. You may:

• Talk rapidly
• Need little to no sleep
• Feel extremely energetic (despite the lack of sleep)
• Have uncontrollable, racing thoughts
• Stay active or be constantly on the go
• Engage in risky behaviors (spending sprees, drinking while driving)

You may also have delusions and/or hallucinations during a manic episode.

When you have an episode of major depression, you:

• Feel sad, worthless, and hopeless
• Lose interest in your favorite activities
• Withdraw from family and friends
• Sleep more or less than usual
• Eat more or less than usual
• Feel anxious or restless
• Struggle to concentrate or make decisions
• May think about suicide

During a depressive episode, you may also develop physical symptoms, such as muscle aches, headaches, nausea, and chronic pain.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

As a therapist with extensive experience treating bipolar disorder, Bobbi begins by completing a psychiatric assessment, then recommends a treatment plan that meets your needs.

Bipolar disorder typically requires a combination of medication and therapy. Medications are essential for stabilizing your mood. Some patients have the option of taking a once-monthly injection.

Therapy teaches skills that help you maintain a balanced life, from reducing stress to recognizing the signs of an upcoming mood swing and learning to prevent it.

Bobbi also offers holistic care that improves bipolar disorder. For example, restoring your sleep regimen and boosting your nutritional status can help keep your mood steady and foster overall well-being.

If you need integrative care for bipolar disorder, call Puentes Medical Consultants or book a telemedicine appointment online today.