Approximately 5.7 million adult Americans are living with bipolar disorder. The mental health condition can cause extreme shifts in mood and behavior, making finding balance in work, school, and relationships difficult. Fortunately, Caroline Bjorkman, DO, at Mind Space Wellness, LLC, provides comprehensive bipolar disorder care at locations in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and the Upper West Side area of Manhattan in New York City. Treating patients aged 12 and older, the practice offers psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle support options if you’re struggling with the disorder. Reach out online or call the friendly staff today to learn more.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder and mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in mood and behavior. These swings can be manic, depressive, or hypomanic and last anywhere from a few hours to months.
There are three types of the disorder. With bipolar I, you experience at least one manic episode that lasts more than seven days or requires hospitalization. You may experience mania and depressive episodes, although the latter is unnecessary for a bipolar I diagnosis.
With bipolar II, you experience depressive episodes and hypomanic states — which are less debilitating than a manic episode.
If you have cyclothymic disorder, you may have a chronically unstable mood but also experience brief periods of normal mood (euthymia).
Signs of a manic episode or mania include:
These episodes can lead to negative consequences in work, social, or school settings.
You may experience manic and depressive symptoms at the same time, and depressive episode symptoms include:
If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts or harming themselves or others, call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) immediately.
After a thorough evaluation at Mind Space Wellness, LLC, your provider determines what type of bipolar disorder you have and any other related conditions, like attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Treatment plans for bipolar disorder should be ongoing, as the disorder can come and go throughout your lifetime. Some treatments your provider may recommend a combination of include:
Innovative brain stimulation therapies like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can relieve severe bipolar symptoms and depression.
If you’re interested in bipolar disorder treatment for yourself or a family member, reach out online or call Mind Space Wellness, LLC, to book an appointment today.