Bipolar Disorder
Extreme mood swings don't have to control your life. With proper medication management, you can achieve stability and live fully. We specialize in bipolar treatment.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder characterized by extreme shifts between emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These aren't ordinary mood swings—they're intense episodes that can last days to weeks and significantly impact your ability to function.
Manic Episode Symptoms
- Elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
- Decreased need for sleep (feeling rested after only 3 hours)
- Racing thoughts and rapid speech
- Increased goal-directed activity or agitation
- Impulsive, risky behavior (spending sprees, risky sex, bad investments)
- Grandiose beliefs about abilities or importance
- Distractibility and difficulty focusing
Depressive Episode Symptoms
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Significant changes in appetite and weight
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Bipolar I
Full manic episodes + depression
Bipolar II
Hypomania + major depression
Cyclothymia
Milder, chronic mood cycling
Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as depression, ADHD, or anxiety. This matters because:
- Antidepressants alone can trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder
- Stimulants for ADHD may worsen bipolar symptoms without mood stabilizers
- Mood stabilizers are essential but won't be prescribed without correct diagnosis
Bipolar Treatment at Next Step Psychiatry
Comprehensive medication management for lasting mood stability
Mood Stabilizers
Lithium and anticonvulsants like Depakote and Lamictal form the foundation of bipolar treatment, preventing both manic and depressive episodes.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Medications like Abilify, Seroquel, Latuda, and Vraylar effectively treat acute episodes and provide ongoing mood stability.
Careful Antidepressant Use
When needed for depression, antidepressants are used cautiously alongside mood stabilizers to prevent triggering mania.
Long-Term Maintenance
Bipolar disorder requires ongoing treatment. We provide consistent monitoring and medication adjustments to maintain stability.
Why Choose Next Step Psychiatry?
Diagnostic Expertise
Careful evaluation to distinguish bipolar from other mood disorders and ensure accurate diagnosis.
Careful Medication Selection
We select medications that prevent both manic and depressive episodes while minimizing side effects.
Same-Day Appointments
When you need help urgently, we're here. Same-day appointments available for urgent concerns.
Find Stability with Expert Bipolar Treatment
You deserve to live without the chaos of extreme mood swings. Let us help you find the right treatment for lasting stability.