Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can appear at any age but most often occurs around 25 years, beginning lifelong challenges requiring consistent, personalized treatment. At Danielle Damas, Psychiatric NP, PC based in Franklin Square, New York, each person receives bipolar disorder treatment created to maintain steady moods and support a healthy lifestyle. Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Danielle Damas, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BC-NP, makes it easy to access the bipolar disorder care you need through telemedicine. To schedule a virtual visit, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects your mood and energy levels. Though it’s well-known for causing extreme swings between high-energy mania and low-energy depression, there are different types of bipolar disorder with varying levels of severity and frequency:

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder is similar to what was once called manic depression. This condition causes episodes of major depression and extreme mania. Manic episodes last at least seven days and cause such severe symptoms that hospitalization to stabilize your mood is usually necessary.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II disorder causes episodes of major depression and hypomania. Hypomania symptoms are the same as mania but are less severe and seldom disrupt daily functioning.

Cyclothymic disorder

This type of bipolar disorder is defined by frequent mood swings lasting at least two years. However, your symptoms are milder than depression and hypomania.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder? 

During manic episodes, you experience symptoms such as:

• Talking rapidly
• Having excessive energy
• Needling very little sleep
• Experiencing racing thoughts
• Having an inflated sense of self-importance
• Engaging in risky behaviors (like driving drunk or overspending)

During manic episodes, you can also have psychotic symptoms, such as delusions (false beliefs), disorganized thinking, and hallucinations. 

The symptoms of major depression include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless
• Losing interest in your favorite activities
• Withdrawing from your partner, friends, and family
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating more or less than usual
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Struggling to make decisions
• Feeling extreme fatigue or energy loss
• Thinking about or attempting suicide

Many people with depression also have physical symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, and generalized pain.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Mood-stabilizing medications are essential for people with bipolar disorder. Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you’ll also need medication management to prevent mood swings.

Therapy is also important because it helps you learn new perspectives and coping skills for managing bipolar disorder’s impact on your life. Many people can learn to identify signs of an approaching mood swing and learn ways to prevent it.

Through therapy, you can also learn to minimize lifestyle issues that may trigger mood swings, such as stress, insomnia, and alcohol misuse. 

Call Danielle Damas, Psychiatric NP, PC, or use the online booking feature to request a telemedicine appointment today.