What Is Bipolar Disorder? What Is Manic Depression?

Bipolar is a mental disorder, which is associated with mood swings, it may also be referred to as Manic Depression. These mood swings can range from deep depressive lows to very high manic highs. A psychiatrist is someone who treats Bipolar Disorders.

Bipolar Disorder is typically a combination of genetics, environment, and altered brain structure (even chemistry can play a role).

A person may exhibit symptoms on the "high side" such as:

• High energy
• Reduced need for sleep
• Lost sense of realtiy

On the "low side" such as:

• Low energy
• Low/No motivation
• Loss of interest in daily activities

The four key points a psychiatrist uses in Bipolar Disorder evaluation will include:

1. Physical Examination
2. Psychiatric Assessment
3. Mood Charting
4. Compare symptoms with criteria for Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression.

While other physicians may prescribe medication which treats Bipolar Disorder, they may or may not be trained to identify and treat Bipolar Disorder the way a psychiatrist would. Medication should be used in conjunction with other therapies.

Bipolar Disorder is something you should treat immediately and through a psychiatrist. Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression can be treated and with proper treatment you can live a full and healthy life. We have multiple locations throughout Orange County and we may continue treatment through telemed.

There are things you may do on your own to combat Bipolar Disorder. These may include yoga, acupuncture, massage, natural supplements, even exercise and diet changes may help. However, medicine prescribed by a psychiatrist have been shown to have a greater value in combating manic depression. Also, when you see a psychiatrist they not only will use medical training, but many years of real world experience to work with you - and, yes, we encourage you to ask what steps you may take on your own to "ween" off the need for medication.

Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antidepressant-antipschotic medication are very effective at treating symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. It is also important to look at further treatment, including: psychotherapy, substance abuse treatment, treatment programs, and self-management solutions.

In our experience medication works for most people. Dosages may need to be adjusted or a medication monitoring program may be implemented (sometimes our body metabolizes one drug better than another).

There is no known cure for bipolar disorder / manic depression. Through behavior therapy, mood stabilizers, and other medication you may live a much more stable life. We recommend a patient continue to see a psychiatrist even when bipolar is not present, because it does have a high recurrent rate. Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs is a must. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) may also help to keep your depression at bay.

There are numerous tests online and people are willing to give their opinion - however, the only real test is to be seen by a psychiatrist trained in bipolar disorder. You may have something different as the symptoms may be similar to another mental health issue, or you may have multiple disorders. Knowing you have bipolar disorder is one thing, treating it is another.

With locations throughout Orange County, we are here to help.

There are two types of Bipolar Disorder / Manic Depression.

1. Bipolar I - A person has manic episodes. This includes changes in behavior outside normal behavior. The manic episodes may last most of the day and may last a week or more. The person may have so extreme symptoms they need to be hospitalized.
2. Bipolar II - Most common. There are depressive symptoms, however the manic symptoms are usually less severe. Usually the one who has Bipolar II Disorder does not see it, feel it, or realize they are going through it.

The only way to know if you have a bipolar disorder is to see a psychiatrist.

Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong mental health issue. It is important you build a lifelong relationship with a psychiatrist who is specifically trained in dealing with manic depression. Episodes may come and go, but Bipolar tends to come back again and again.

Every patient is different, also, it is crucially important to understand every patient metabolizes medication differently. Expect to possibly see a medication management program to be implemented, as dosages and even medications may change.

Examples of medications may include:

1. Mood Stabilizers:  Lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
2. Antipsychotics:  Olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda) or asenapine (Saphris)
3. Antidepressants:  SSRI's -fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). SNRI's - duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) and levomilnacipran (Fetzima). Atypical antidepressants:  trazodone, mirtazapine (Remeron), vortioxetine (Trintellix), vilazodone (Viibryd) and bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, others). Tricyclic antidepressants:  imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline, doxepin and desipramine (Norpramin). MAOIs:  tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil) and isocarboxazid (Marplan)