What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. This disorder triggers episodes of extreme emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and extreme lows (depression) that can last for several weeks.
Mania and hypomania cause feelings of euphoria, high energy levels, and irritability.
Symptoms of mania are more severe than hypomania and can even lead to psychosis (a loss of contact with reality), which requires hospitalization.
Depressive episodes of bipolar disorder cause extreme lows and feelings of overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. You may also experience a lack of interest in activities, sleep disruptions, and concentration difficulties.
Untreated depression can also lead to thoughts or actions of self-harm or suicide.
The root cause of bipolar disorder isn’t well understood, but differences in biology and genetic factors can contribute to the disorder.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Mesquite Valley Integrated Health for bipolar disorder if you have symptoms you can’t control that interfere with your quality of life.
If you experience suicidal thoughts or think about harming yourself or others, get emergency medical help at the local hospital or call 911.
To assess your symptoms and confirm a bipolar disorder diagnosis, the team offers in-office screenings that involve a physical exam and psychiatric evaluation. They may also request additional diagnostic testing to rule out underlying health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Your treatment plan for bipolar disorder may involve medications and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The combination of treatments can regulate your moods, increase your energy, and help you better cope with the effect bipolar disorder has on your life.
If oral medications aren’t working well, the Mesquite Valley Integrated Health team may recommend ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine infusions rapidly relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression that can occur in bipolar disorder by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in your brain.
The team continues to monitor your long-term progress with treatment through in-office visits and the online telemedicine platform. They also offer medication management services to ensure you’re taking the right medications at the right dosages.
Call Mesquite Valley Integrated Health to schedule a bipolar disorder evaluation or book an appointment online today.
