Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms and Treatments | Orlando Counselor

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that affects a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. It is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, ranging from episodes of mania (a state of elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior) to episodes of depression (a state of low mood, decreased energy, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities). These mood swings can occur suddenly or gradually and can last for days, weeks, or even months. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment, but with proper care and management, people living with bipolar disorder can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

https://www.bdori.org/understanding-depression-and-bipolar-disorder/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwt-OwBhBnEiwAgwzrUuyHFK8b6tCUSz8CDRGF_UOHID7LueFNtSaxLqKUVCneEXHeHEpi9xoCW94QAvD_BwE

Symptoms:

• The main symptoms to look out for are a feeling of hopelessness, emptiness or worthlessness.  
• Lack of appetite, delusional thinking or pessimistic behaviors.
• A reduced need for sleep, high energy, and a loss of touch with reality characterize the symptoms of manic episodes.  
• Depressive episodes are characterized by low energy, low motivation, and a loss of interest in daily activities.  
• They may encompass unpredictable changes in mood which interfere with daily life.  These mood episodes may last days to months at a time. 
• Most also experience hallucinations or feel strange sensations that are not there.

Causes:

• The leading cause of bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain.  This chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters is noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine.  
• During mania, noradrenaline levels are too high, and during depressional episodes, noradrenaline levels may be too low.

Treatment:

• The different treatment options for bipolar, are usually mood stabilizers.  
• Lithium is the most common mood stabilizer used to treat abnormal brain activity, preventing these episodes.
• Another alternative can be talk therapy, which proves treatment for emotional problems, stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Through this, specific practices, such as mindfulness and meditation can help to improve overall mental health.

  Call our In-person and Virtual Teen Counselors in Orlando for help now at 407-248-0030! We also have teen counselors near Altamonte in Winter Park, Lake Mary, Clermont, East Orlando Waterford Lakes Avalon Park, Dr Phillips Windermere. We also help with EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma and treat ADHD often without medication and the News Media called us 200+ times for our mental health advice.

Edited by TLC intern: Brigitte Black