Bipolar Disorder

If you struggle with mood shifts between depression and mania (extreme excitability), you may have bipolar disorder. At Blue Water Psychiatry in Mesa, Arizona, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners Justin McKinley, PMHNP-BC, Susan Bowen, PMHNP-BC, and their compassionate staff offer bipolar disorder treatments to stabilize your mood and help you live your best life. Call the office or book an appointment online to learn more about bipolar disorder. 

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health challenge characterized by dramatic mood swings. You might feel elated one minute and struggle with extreme depression the next. When left untreated, the condition can affect your quality of life, making it hard to navigate daily activities and maintain healthy relationships. 

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

The common symptoms associated with bipolar disorder include:

• Feeling upbeat, wired, or jumpy
• High or low activity levels
• Fatigue
• Depression coupled with euphoria
• Minimal to excessive sleep
• Racing thoughts
• Distractibility
• Unusual talkativeness 
• Poor decision-making 
• Feeling empty inside
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Difficulty concentrating

The symptoms you experience at any given time depend on whether you’re having a depressive or manic episode. 

What are the risk factors for bipolar disorder?

Some of the risk factors that increase your chances of having bipolar disorder include:

• Family history of mental health disorders
• Ongoing stress
• Traumatic life events
• Substance misuse

Genetic and environmental factors may both play roles in the development of bipolar disorder, but adopting healthy habits and getting the necessary treatment can improve your life in many ways.

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

To effectively treat bipolar disorder, the Blue Water Psychiatry team reviews your symptoms, medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits. They may also ask questions about your thoughts, moods, and behavior patterns. 

Blue Water Psychiatry also offers pharmacogenomic testing to determine which medicines work best with your genetic makeup.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Common treatments for bipolar disorder include:

Lifestyle recommendations
Blue Water Psychiatry may recommend lifestyle changes such as avoiding drinking alcohol, establishing a regular routine, getting regular exercise and good sleep, and eating healthy foods. It’s also important to keep your stress levels as low as possible. 

Mood-stabilizer medications
The team also offers medication management to improve your mood swings and reduce bothersome symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. They can prescribe mood-stabilizer medications and send the prescription to your pharmacy of choice.  

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) 
Talk therapy is an excellent way to learn behavioral-change strategies that reduce crippling symptoms of bipolar disorder and help you thrive at work, school, and in relationships.

Bipolar disorder can be treated with the help from the expert team at Blue Water Psychiatry, so don’t delay the treatment you need to improve your quality of life. Call the office or book a consultation online today.