Bipolar disorder causes mood swings that therapy or lifestyle changes can’t manage on their own. These shifts are rooted in brain chemistry, which is why medication forms the foundation of treatment.
At Mind Space Wellness, LLC, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Caroline Bjorkman, DO, treats bipolar disorder in patients aged 12 and older using medication as the foundation of care, combined with therapy and lifestyle support when needed.
Bipolar disorder involves extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior — far more intense than typical ups and downs. If you have manic or hypomanic episodes, you might feel euphoric, unusually energetic, or irritable. You may take risks you normally wouldn’t, sleep very little, talk rapidly, or make impulsive decisions.
Depressive episodes can bring crushing sadness, loss of interest in activities that used to matter, trouble concentrating, and changes in sleep and appetite. Some people experience thoughts of suicide during depressive episodes.
Disruptions in brain chemistry and neural pathways cause these mood shifts. Medication corrects the imbalances and helps prevent the extreme highs and lows from recurring.
Untreated bipolar disorder tends to worsen over time. Episodes often become more frequent and more severe. Manic episodes can escalate into psychosis, where people lose touch with reality and may require hospitalization. Depressive episodes increase suicide risk significantly.
Between episodes, the disorder can damage relationships, careers, and financial stability. Impulsive decisions made during manic episodes — like quitting a job, spending money recklessly, or engaging in risky behavior — can create problems that persist long after the episode ends.
Several classes of medication treat bipolar disorder, and most people need more than one to manage both manic and depressive episodes. These include”
Mood stabilizers like lithium and valproate help prevent manic and depressive episodes. Lithium has been in use for decades and remains one of the most effective treatments for bipolar disorder. It requires regular blood tests to monitor levels and kidney function, but it can reduce suicide risk and prevent relapses.
Atypical antipsychotics treat acute manic episodes and help prevent future episodes. Some also address depressive symptoms. These medications can cause weight gain and metabolic changes, so Dr. Bjorkman monitors for side effects and adjusts treatment as needed.
Antidepressants treat depressive episodes in bipolar disorder but require careful use. Taking an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic can trigger a manic episode. Dr. Bjorkman prescribes antidepressants only when needed and always in combination with other medications that stabilize mood.
Therapy helps you recognize early warning signs before an episode escalates. It teaches you coping strategies for managing symptoms, navigating the disruptions the condition causes, and rebuilding after difficult episodes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation are particularly useful for identifying your specific triggers, staying consistent with medication, and processing what it means to live with a chronic condition.
Medication keeps your brain chemistry stable enough for therapy to work. Without that stability, the extreme mood swings make it hard to build skills or implement what you learn.
Stopping medication abruptly or skipping doses destabilizes mood and increases the risk of a severe episode. Some people stop taking medication because they miss the energy and creativity they felt during hypomanic episodes. Others stop because of side effects or because they feel stable and assume they no longer need it.
Dr. Bjorkman provides ongoing medication management to help patients find medications that work long-term. She helps you understand why consistent use is essential and monitors how your medications are working. If side effects are a problem, she explores alternatives rather than letting you suffer through them.
Bipolar disorder requires medication to manage the neurobiological factors driving mood episodes. Dr. Bjorkman creates treatment plans that stabilize mood, prevent relapses, and help patients maintain functioning in their daily lives.
Call Mind Space Wellness, LLC, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, or on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bjorkman and our team, or book online today.