Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by emotional swings from manic highs to depressive lows.
If you have bipolar disorder, you may experience manic symptoms, such as increased energy and impulsive behavior, as well as depressive symptoms, such as feeling sad and worthless, and sleeping more than usual. If you experience symptoms of bipolar, it’s wise to explore your options for treatment.
The team at Renew Infusions in Gilbert, Arizona, offers full mental health evaluations, treatment options, and medication management. Bipolar disorder requires life-long treatment, but with the right care, you can lead a fulfilling life.
In this post you’ll learn about the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder and what can be done to manage it.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood changes that affect the way you feel, think, and behave. You may feel well between episodes, but the changes can affect many areas of your life, including school, work, and relationships. The following are signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Mania
Mania is a state characterized by a heightened mood. During a manic episode you may experience:
- Increased energy
- Insomnia
- Racing thoughts
- Talking fast
- Feeling irritable
- Impulsivity
- Increased libido
- Poor judgement
While mania may not seem like a negative mood state, there are many risks involved, such as making major decisions without thinking them through, gambling, overspending, and using drugs and alcohol. Hypomania is a milder form of mania.
Depression
Depression is an opposite mood state from mania. When you’re feeling depressed you may experience:
- Extreme sadness
- Low mood
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Thoughts of suicide
- Self-harm
- Problems concentrating
- Feeling tired
- Sleeping too much
During a depressive episode you may stop doing things you enjoy, isolate yourself from friends and family, and have trouble meeting your basic needs.
Managing bipolar disorder
The team at Renew Infusions provides specialized mental health care that includes medication management and mental health evaluations.
Mood stabilizing medication
Mood stabilizers are commonly recommended for managing bipolar disorder. This category of medications helps to balance your mood. The goal is to prevent highs and lows.
Ketamine infusions
In addition to traditional pharmaceutical medications used to treat bipolar disorder, we offer alternative treatments, such as ketamine infusion therapy.
Unlike mood stabilizers that take weeks to provide relief, ketamine infusion therapy can provide significant relief in a few hours to a few days. Ketamine infusion therapy is a safe medication with strong antidepressant effects that can treat bipolar-related depression.
Pharmacogenomics testing
We also offer testing that evaluates your DNA to determine how you respond to medications. This can be used to assess which medications you may respond to best. The field of pharmacogenetics has revolutionized the way medication is prescribed, moving away from the one-size-fits-all model.
Our team provides comprehensive mental health care and wants to help you get on the path to feeling and functioning better. To get started, schedule an evaluation today by calling our office or booking your appointment online.