Bipolar Disorder
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What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder causes shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to
function. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can result in damaged
relationships,difficulty in working or going to school, and even suicide.
There are generally periods of normal mood as well, but left untreated,
people with bipolar disorder continue to experience these shifts in mood.
The good news is that bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with
this illness can lead full and productive lives.
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder can cause dramatic mood swings—from high and feeling
on top of the world, or uncomfortably irritable and ‘revved up’, to sad and
hopeless, often with periods of normal moods in between. The periods of
highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
MANIC PHASE
• Feeling on top of the world. A sensation of sheer and utter happiness that
nothing—not even bad news or a horrifying event or tragedy—can change.
• Sudden or extreme irritability or rage. While mania is often portrayed as a
pleasurable experience, that is not the case for many people with bipolar disorder.
• Grandiose delusions. Individuals imagine that they have special connections with
God, celebrities, or political leaders.
• Invincibility or unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities. The person feels that nothing
can prevent him or her from accomplishing any task.
• Hyperactivity. Scheduling more events in a day than can be accomplished;
inability to relax or sit still.
• Excessively risky behavior. Reckless driving, outlandish spending sprees, foolish
business investments, or out-of character sexual behavior.
• Uncontrollable racing thoughts/rapid speech. Ideas that abruptly change from
topic to topic expressed in loud,rapid speech that becomes increasingly incoherent.
• Less need for sleep.
DEPRESSED PHASE
• Intense sadness or despair. The person feels helpless, hopeless, and worthless.
• No interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Loss of energy, fatigue.
• Sleep difficulties. Either sleeping too much or not at all.
• Changes in appetite. Either a noticeable increase in appetite or a substantial
weight loss unrelated to dieting.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.
Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
The DSM IV-TR (the book mental health professionals use to make diagnosis)
divides bipolar disorder into 3 categories, Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Cyclothymic
Disorder. The primary differentiation between these is in the severity and length
of the manic and depressive episodes.
Treatments
Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong illness. There is no known cure. However, as
mentioned above there are a number of good and effective treatments that can
help individuals lead successful, productive and personally satisfying lives. For
most (but not all) people with bipolar disorder medications can help to balance
moods and reduce the length and severity of manic and depressive episodes.
However, research has shown that the optimal approach to treating bipolar
disorder includes some form of talk therapy as well as medication. Windham &
Leibovich utilizes a form of talk therapy known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT) to assist those with bipolar disorder to better understand their illness and to
learn skills and techniques to better manage their symptoms. CBT focuses on the
role of thoughts in their relation to emotions, moods, and actions and has been
shown in numerous clinical studies to be the best form of talk therapy for those who
are suffering from bipolar disorder.
If you or someone you love is struggling with bipolar disorder, please give
us a call to learn more about how we can help.
Bipolar disorder causes shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to
function. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can result in damaged
relationships,difficulty in working or going to school, and even suicide.
There are generally periods of normal mood as well, but left untreated,
people with bipolar disorder continue to experience these shifts in mood.
The good news is that bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with
this illness can lead full and productive lives.
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder can cause dramatic mood swings—from high and feeling
on top of the world, or uncomfortably irritable and ‘revved up’, to sad and
hopeless, often with periods of normal moods in between. The periods of
highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
MANIC PHASE
• Feeling on top of the world. A sensation of sheer and utter happiness that
nothing—not even bad news or a horrifying event or tragedy—can change.
• Sudden or extreme irritability or rage. While mania is often portrayed as a
pleasurable experience, that is not the case for many people with bipolar disorder.
• Grandiose delusions. Individuals imagine that they have special connections with
God, celebrities, or political leaders.
• Invincibility or unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities. The person feels that nothing
can prevent him or her from accomplishing any task.
• Hyperactivity. Scheduling more events in a day than can be accomplished;
inability to relax or sit still.
• Excessively risky behavior. Reckless driving, outlandish spending sprees, foolish
business investments, or out-of character sexual behavior.
• Uncontrollable racing thoughts/rapid speech. Ideas that abruptly change from
topic to topic expressed in loud,rapid speech that becomes increasingly incoherent.
• Less need for sleep.
DEPRESSED PHASE
• Intense sadness or despair. The person feels helpless, hopeless, and worthless.
• No interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Loss of energy, fatigue.
• Sleep difficulties. Either sleeping too much or not at all.
• Changes in appetite. Either a noticeable increase in appetite or a substantial
weight loss unrelated to dieting.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.
Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
The DSM IV-TR (the book mental health professionals use to make diagnosis)
divides bipolar disorder into 3 categories, Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Cyclothymic
Disorder. The primary differentiation between these is in the severity and length
of the manic and depressive episodes.
Treatments
Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong illness. There is no known cure. However, as
mentioned above there are a number of good and effective treatments that can
help individuals lead successful, productive and personally satisfying lives. For
most (but not all) people with bipolar disorder medications can help to balance
moods and reduce the length and severity of manic and depressive episodes.
However, research has shown that the optimal approach to treating bipolar
disorder includes some form of talk therapy as well as medication. Windham &
Leibovich utilizes a form of talk therapy known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT) to assist those with bipolar disorder to better understand their illness and to
learn skills and techniques to better manage their symptoms. CBT focuses on the
role of thoughts in their relation to emotions, moods, and actions and has been
shown in numerous clinical studies to be the best form of talk therapy for those who
are suffering from bipolar disorder.
If you or someone you love is struggling with bipolar disorder, please give
us a call to learn more about how we can help.
| Schedule an Appointment Please call: (412) 561-0311 or (412) 561-0411 or email: scott@pittsburgh-therapy.com |
Windham & Leibovich PC
"Therapy That Makes Sense"
"Therapy That Makes Sense"
2025 Greentree Rd.
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 1522
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 1522
