Online Psychiatry for Treating Bipolar Disorder

For the roughly 5.7 million Americans who suffer from bipolar disorder, daily life is a journey of emotional extremes that make it hard to maintain personal and family relationships. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, there are effective ways to manage this complex disorder, and Psychiatry Connection can help.

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There are dozens of psychotropic medications to help you manage bipolar disorder. At Psychiatry Connection, our board-certified specialists are trained to handle all the complexities that come with your unique diagnosis. In addition to medication management, our online psychiatrists also help you develop important routines for exercise, diet and managing your sleep schedule. They can also help you find support groups and other complementary behavioral therapies to help.

What are the different types of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is part of a large category of mood disorders. It’s characterized by mood changes that feel like emotional highs and lows. During those highs, referred to as manias, you may have a lot of energy, lack the need for sleep, become extremely irritability, or in some cases feel superhuman. These highs are then countered by lows, known as depressive episodes, where extreme symptoms of depression set in. Here are the three general types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar I Disorder

This type is characterized by manic highs that last at least seven days. During this time, people often engage in risky or dangerous activity and will require hospitalization. These manias are followed by depression that can last up to two weeks as well.

Bipolar II Disorder

This form of bipolar disorder involves more extreme depressive episodes with fatigue and little interest in activities; but the manias aren’t as severe. The less acute high-energy periods are referred to as hypomanias, and typically last about four or five days.

Cyclothymic Disorder

In this case, a person has hypomanic episodes along with less severe or intense depressive episodes, and both extremes last a day or two. These mood swings typically continue for at least two years in adults and a year in teens or children.

How do I know if my problem isn’t just mood swings?

You can’t experience only manias or depressive episodes, you need both for a bipolar disorder diagnosis. In addition, the extreme periods must last for days, not hours. A thorough medical and psychological evaluation will help you better understand whether you have bipolar disorder or mood swings.

Bipolar-Disorder-Treatment

What causes bipolar disorder?

The true cause is unknown but certain genetics may play a role. If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and are symptomatic, you are more likely to have it as well.

Is my treatment confidential?

Yes, your personal information, evaluations and treatment plans are not shared with anyone other than your psychiatrist and his or her team of experts.

Bipolar-Disorder-Treatment
Bipolar-Disorder-Treatment

Will my insurance cover treatment?

Yes, with a diagnosis, most insurance plans cover bipolar disorder. Coverages vary, but our support staff is available to explain what your plan will cover ahead of time, including costs. No surprises.

Reach Out to Us if You Have Concerns

If you suffer from mood swings that affect your ability to keep relationships, you can contact us to start your evaluation process. Again, bipolar disorder cannot be cured, but we have helped many patients enjoy a better life with our thoughtful, personalized approach to care.