Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes abrupt changes in mood and energy that affect daily life. At Westwood Psychiatry Associates in Westwood, New Jersey, the team specializes in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder. They take a collaborative and compassionate approach to care, working with you to create a plan that improves your symptoms and puts you back in control of your life. For expert care for bipolar disorder from a highly skilled team, call the office or schedule an appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are available.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes extreme changes in mood that affects activity and behavior. People with bipolar disorder have “mood episodes” that shift between periods of mania (elation) and depression.

Though it’s normal to have changes in mood, in people with bipolar disorder the mood swings are extreme and have a profound effect on energy, activity, and sleep.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder symptoms fall into two categories: manic symptoms and depressive symptoms.

Manic symptoms

During a manic episode, you feel happy and elated, as well as irritable and easily agitated. You’re abnormally upbeat, very talkative, and have little need for sleep.

Depressive symptoms

During a depressive episode, your mood and energy are low and you have very little interest in doing any activity. 

Bipolar mood episodes may last days or weeks. 

What are the types of bipolar disorder?

The experienced team at Westwood Psychiatry Associates classify bipolar disorder into types based on the severity of symptoms. The types of bipolar disorder include:

Bipolar I disorder

For a bipolar I disorder diagnosis you must have at least one manic episode that lasts seven or more days or causes symptoms that require hospitalization. People with this type also experience depressive episodes that last two or more weeks.

Bipolar II disorder

People with bipolar II disorder have hypomanic and depressive mood episodes. The hypomanic episodes are less severe than the manic episodes that affect people with bipolar I disorder. 

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia causes recurrent depressive and hypomanic symptoms. These mood changes are less intense than those that occur in people with bipolar disorder, but happen regularly for two or more years.

What are the treatments for bipolar disorder?

The team at Westwood Psychiatry Associates takes a personalized and collaborative approach to care. They talk to you about your treatment options for bipolar disorder and you work together creating your individualized plan.

Treatments for bipolar disorder may include:

Medication management

With medication management, the team helps find the psychiatric medication that provides the best relief from your symptoms with the fewest side effects. Mood stabilizers are the primary psychiatric medication for bipolar disorder.

Psychotherapy

The team customizes your psychotherapy treatment plan using evidence-based therapies that help you identify the troubling emotions and behaviors and develop strategies to improve them.

For comprehensive and patient-focused care for your bipolar disorder, call Westwood Psychiatry Associates or schedule your bipolar disorder consultation online today.