Hypomania Bergen County NJ

Bipolar Disorder: What is Bipolar Disorder?

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Bipolar Disorder: What is Bipolar Disorder?

By Lynette Rivas

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric health disorder that causes changes to an individual’s mood, energy, and their ability to function. Bipolar disorder is accompanied by mood episodes that can last distinct periods of times, such as days or weeks. This disorder is common among families where 80% to 90% of individuals with bipolar disorder have a relative with the same diagnosis.

Mood episodes are categorized as manic, hypomanic, or depressive. A manic or hypomanic episode is when the individual is abnormally happy or in an irritable mood for an extended period of time, that is at least one week. These episodes can also include a decreased need for sleep, faster speech, uncontrollable racing thoughts, distractibility, and/or increased risky behavior. To be considered an episode, these behaviors must represent a change from the individual’s usual behavior and the symptoms must be severe enough to cause dysfunction at work or in social activities.

A hypomanic episode is less severe than a manic episode. The symptoms need to only last for at least four days and they do not cause dysfunction in daily life. A depressive episode must be at least two weeks long and include an intense feeling of sadness, loss of interest in activities, feelings of worthlessness, increased or decreased sleep, restlessness, and/or difficulty concentrating. These symptoms must also be a change from the individual’s usual behavior.

There are three types of bipolar disorders which include: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. 

Bipolar I

Bipolar I disorder is when the individual has had at least one manic episode that may be followed by a hypomanic or a major depressive episode.

Bipolar II

Bipolar II disorder is when the individual has had at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode, but has never experienced a manic episode.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is when the individual has had at least two years, in adolescence, where there have been many periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that is treatable with medications and psychotherapy, so it is important to seek treatment from a mental health professional if you experience any of these symptoms.

If you or someone you know is experiencing manic, hypomanic, and/or depressive episodes please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders

https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/bipolar-disorder

Bipolar One Vs. Bipolar Two

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

By: Yael Berger

Bipolar, also known as manic depression, is a mood disorder characterized by extreme highs and extreme lows. Extreme highs are called mania while the extreme lows are called depression. It is seen in both adults and children and tends to run in the family. If you have a close relative with Bipolar disorder, you have an increased chance of developing the disorder. According to the national institute of mental health, “an estimated 4.4% of U.S adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives.” There are two different types of Bipolar that are often difficult to distinguish between.

Bipolar I patients commonly present with these symptoms:

  • An episode of extreme mania lasting at least one week and usually an episode of severe depression lasting at least two weeks
    • Mania is characterized by irritability, mood swings, and possibly excessive spending, drinking, excessive sexual behavior etc.
  • Less need for sleep
  • Increased self-esteem, speech, thoughts, distractibility
  • Rapid mood swings
  • Can have a break with reality
    • Hallucinations, delusional or paranoid thoughts
  • Usual onset: around 18 years old

Bipolar II patients commonly present with these symptoms:

  • An episode of hypomania lasting at least four days and always accompanied by an episode of extreme depression lasting at least two weeks
  • Hypomania is a milder form of mania but it is still noticeable to others
  • Typically are prescribed antidepressants with mood stabilizers
  • Usual onset: around mid-20s

There are a few key differences between bipolar I and bipolar II. The main difference is that Bipolar I often begins with mania while Bipolar II often begins as a depressive episode that is later diagnosed when an episode of hypomania occurs. Bipolar II is sometimes wrongly diagnosed as depression at first because it often starts as a depressive episode. Bipolar I is usually obvious and severely disrupts a patient’s life while Bipolar II can be less noticeable. However, once a hypomanic episode in Bipolar II patient causes severe impairment it would then be categorized as Bipolar I. Bipolar I can lead to hospitalization more often than Bipolar II because of the extreme mania that occurs. A combination of medication and therapy can help both Bipolar I and II.

If you or someone you know has any type of Bipolar Disorder, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-1-vs-bipolar-2#symptoms

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder.shtml

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/two-takes-depression/201901/10-things-know-about-bipolar-disorder

Image:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319280.php

Bipolar Disorder: What Is It and What Treatments Are Available

GalleryJudy Gurfein 2 Comments

By Stephanie Osuba

Bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder with cycling emotions of highs (mania) and lows (depression) by the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Periods of mania can last for as little as two days and as long as fourteen days at a time. It is this period of elevated mood and heightened irritability that sets bipolar disorder apart from the diagnosis of clinical depression. During a manic episode, people experience elevated moods of extreme happiness, decreased need for sleep, hyperactivity, and racing thoughts which manifest in pressured speech. Because mania makes people feel like they are on top of the world, people also tend to engage in risky behavior of sexual nature or even substance abuse to maintain the high. Manic episodes can also bring on an intense and easily irritable mood, which can also lead to a risk of violence. Besides one manic episode, in order to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder one must have had a depressive episode as well. This period can last from a few days to even months and is characterized by extreme sadness, disinterest in pleasurable activities, lack of energy, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

There are two kinds of bipolar disorder, one being more manic and the other being more depressive. Bipolar I is characterized by one fully manic episode, that must last at least a week, and a depressive episode. Bipolar II is characterized by a period of depression and a period of hypomania. Hypomania has all the symptoms of a manic episode; however it usually doesn’t last as long, only about a few days. The speed at which people cycle through emotions largely depends on the person. Treatment for this disorder can either psychotherapy or medication. Most people seem to benefit greatly from a combined treatment of both. A common medication prescribed for this disorder is a mood stabilizer and even sometimes an antidepressant or other psychotropic medication. It’s best to talk to a professional in order to find the best individual treatment plan.

Source: Grohol, J. M., Psy. D. (2018, May 18). Bipolar Disorder – What is it? Can it be treated? Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/ 

If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder, the licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy can assist you. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/