Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Bipolar Disorders are a group of mood disorders with a variety of clinical expressions, effecting up to 4% of Americans and commonly running in families. Historically, there has been a lot of confusion between Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders, but the two conditions are very different and with the greater understanding of mental disorders today, doctors can better identify the signs and symptoms of bipolar depression.
Bipolar disorders are conditions where your mood is on autopilot, and you simply feel like you are along for the ride. Changes in mood are frequently unpredictable and unexplainable, and are accompanied by a host of other symptoms, including the following core symptoms:
- Feeling extremely good or very irritable
- Racing thoughts or mind going faster than usual
- Increase in energy
- Change in productivity, either very productive or not at all
- Feeling restless or driven
- Altered judgment, such as spending too much money or starting new relationships
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in appetite
The symptoms above will fluctuate with symptoms of depression; and often these symptoms even occur together, so it’s very difficult to know exactly how you feel or where you are headed.
If you have three or more of the symptoms above, there is a very good possibility that you may have one of the Bipolar Disorders. Like other medical conditions, Bipolar Disorder may be mimicked by other conditions including other types of mood disorders, other neurological disorders, rheumatological disorders (like systemic lupus erythematosis), and alcohol and drug abuse. Also, some prescription and non-prescription medications may also cause these symptoms or make them worse.
Contact us to schedule an initial evaluation. Qualified participants will receive study related care at no charge and there is no need for health insurance.