Bipolar Disorder

Are your emotional highs and lows intense and intrusive? You could be living with bipolar disorder, a condition that Spectrum Behavioral Health has extensive experience in treating successfully. The team believes that your mental health is among your most important assets, so they’re here to help you achieve stable moods and long-term mental wellness. Schedule your evaluation online today or call the New Lenox or Hinsdale, Illinois, office to make an appointment.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder. It causes major mood changes, including highs (mania) and lows (depression).

Manic episodes are periods of high mood. Hypomanic episodes feature a high mood too, but they’re less intense than manic episodes. Depressive episodes are periods of low mood.

People with bipolar disorder can’t control these moods on their own. Bipolar disorder is frustrating and disruptive without treatment.

Is bipolar I or II more severe?

Bipolar I and II are the two primary forms of the disorder. Bipolar I is more severe. 

Bipolar I symptoms

Bipolar I features at least one manic episode within longer depressive episodes. In manic episodes, energy dramatically increases. Many people don’t sleep much. They can feel inspired and full of big plans.

Manic episodes often cause abnormally upbeat moods. But some people become unusually irritable. This manic period lasts a week or longer.

Bipolar I also includes depressive episodes. Depressive episodes cause severe sadness, feelings of hopelessness, tiredness, and other problems associated with depression.

Bipolar II symptoms 

Bipolar II features depressive episodes that last two weeks or longer. People with bipolar II also have hypomanic episodes that last four or more days.

Although bipolar II is less severe, both types disrupt your life unless you get help. 

What is the best treatment for bipolar disorder? 

The best bipolar disorder treatment takes a personalized approach. Medication — for example, mood stabilizers — is the foundation of bipolar disorder treatment, says the American Psychiatric Association.

Spectrum Behavioral Health offers both medication management and long-acting psychotropic injections to people with bipolar disorder.

Many people also find therapy — for example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — helpful. A combination of medication and therapy often provides the best outcome.

Bipolar disorder requires ongoing management. The team is here for you at all times. They work with you to find the treatment that’s right for you. Spectrum Behavioral Health offers in-office visits; in many cases, telehealth appointments are also available for medication management and therapy.

Bipolar disorder can seem like a huge mountain to scale. The Spectrum Behavioral Health team can guide you over that mountain and into a happy, stable life on the other side. Phone the office in your area now or click the provided online scheduling feature to set up your evaluation.