Bipolar Disorder is a severe and persistent mental illness that causes intense mood shifts between major depression and mania. Our board-certified providers at Interventional Psychiatry Group in Memphis, Tennessee, treat all three diagnoses that fall under bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. Within each diagnosis, there are variable combinations of major depressive, manic, and hypomanic episodes, which are determined by the severity and length of symptom occurrence.
A major depressive episode is when an individual experiences at least five of the major depressive episode symptoms within the same two-week period, and these symptoms are a shift from the individual’s usual functioning.
The major depressive episode symptoms are: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, unintentional weight loss or weight gain, increase or decrease in sleep, slowing of full body motor movements, restlessness, fatigue, feelings of inappropriate guilt, decreased ability to concentrate, hopelessness, and thoughts of death.
A manic episode is a period of one week or more in which the individual has an abnormally elevated or irritable mood and abnormally increased energy. Other symptoms of a manic episode include inflated self-esteem, a decrease in sleep without feeling tired, an increase in talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased distractibility, increased goal-oriented activity, and involvement in high-risk activities.
A manic episode can be severe enough to cause social or occupational impairment, symptoms of psychosis, and can require hospitalization.
A hypomanic episode is a period of at least four or more consecutive days in which the individual has an abnormally irritable mood and abnormally increased energy.
Other symptoms of a hypomanic episode include inflated self-esteem, a decrease in sleep without feeling tired, an increase in talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased distractibility, increased goal-oriented activity, and involvement in high-risk activities.
A hypomanic episode is not severe enough to cause marked social or occupational impairment and does not require hospitalization.
The diagnosis of bipolar I disorder requires the individual to have experienced (or currently be experiencing) a manic episode. The individual may have experienced a hypomanic or major depressive episode before or after the manic episode, but that is not required in order for the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder to be made.
The diagnosis of bipolar II disorder requires the individual to have experienced at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode, but never a full manic episode.
The diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder requires the individual to have experienced some hypomanic symptoms and some depressive symptoms multiple times, but none of the periods met the full criteria of a hypomanic episode or a major depressive episode. For a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder to be met, these symptoms must have been occurring for at least two years.
Our board-certified providers at Interventional Psychiatry Group diagnose bipolar disorder by considering your symptoms and past emotional experiences while also considering your medical history, family history, and genetic predisposition.
Pharmacotherapy (medication) and psychotherapy are among the first-line treatments for bipolar disorder. Our board-certified providers at Interventional Psychiatry Group offer many options for bipolar disorder treatment, including mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications. If our providers believe you would be best served by psychotherapy, a referral can be made.
Bipolar disorder can feel unpredictable and lonely, but we’re here to help. Call Interventional Psychiatry Group to schedule an initial psychiatric evaluation or request to schedule by completing our online booking form today.
The information provided above is for educational purposes only. Professional evaluation is required to make a formal diagnosis.