Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong, chronic condition that can profoundly disrupt work, relationships and daily life, requiring consistent management by a qualified psychiatric professional. With appropriate treatment—typically a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments—individuals can lead stable, productive, meaningful and enjoyable lives.
We provide targeted therapies that can help manage symptoms and restore stability to thinking processes, moods and emotions. Our comprehensive treatment options can help reestablish balance and improve overall quality of life, not only for the patient but oftentimes for friends and especially family members. Bipolar Disorder often has a pervasive effect on everyone connected to the patient’s life.
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by dramatic mood swings between depression and elevated moods known as mania. Formerly known as manic-depressive illness, it involves chronic shifts in mental function that can impact energy, activity levels, and daily functioning.
This condition can begin in childhood or adolescence, last for months or years and worsen over time. Eventually, if left undiagnosed and untreated, Bipolar Disorder patients may commit suicide, develop psychotic episodes or experience severe physical and cognitive decline. There is an elevated risk of substance abuse disorder among untreated Bipolar Disorder sufferers. Self-medication using drugs or alcohol is common, leading to co-occurring addiction issues.
On average, individuals with untreated Bipolar Disorder may die up to 13 years earlier than the general population.
Bipolar Disorder is manageable with long-term treatment. We deliver personalized care plans designed to stabilize moods and support life-long wellness.
An individual with Bipolar Disorder feels energetic during a manic or hypomanic episode. They may be able to go for days without sleep or wake refreshed after only a couple of hours of sleep. They may feel euphoric or even invincible. They appear to be ”high” on life, inordinately happy or overly self-confident. They also may experience racing thoughts, speak fast or jump from one idea or topic to another. They tend to act impulsively, engage in risky behavior, spend impulsively, have grandiose or unrealistic ideas or plans, and even display risky behavior with sexuality or other behaviors like gambling, shoplifting, extreme sports or any activity that can be risky. Periods of mania and hypomania can also involve feeling intensely Irritable, being easily annoyed, agitated or even aggressive.
During a depressive episode, an individual may experience low energy levels as well as feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Their movements may be slow or sluggish, and they may feel exhausted, no matter how much sleep they get. They will begin to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Cognitive symptoms begin to emerge, like brain fog, difficulty concentrating, problems making decisions. Suicidal ideation may be triggered, including feelings of worthlessness, self-hatred or a belief that life is not worth living.
Bipolar Disorder can also manifest as a “missed state” where a person can experience symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time. This mental state is known as a mixed episode. It can feel like having an excess of mental or physical energy while feeling deeply depressed or even suicidal. This type of mixed episode is a state that is often described as feeling agitated, anxious, and perhaps even reckless.
Between episodes of mixed, depressive, manic and hypomanic symptoms, individuals with Bipolar Disorder may have periods where their mood stabilizes – either completely or where they may experience milder, lingering symptoms.
There are three distinct types of Bipolar Disorder that manifest with different symptoms and triggers. These major forms of Bipolar Disorder include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder—with diagnosis based on the severity and duration of manic and depressive episodes.
There are also substance-induced disorders.
Our first step is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to arrive at an accurate diagnosis through interviews and assessments. With certain Bipolar Disorder cases, psychiatrists may request a workup from your primary care provider or feel it is necessary to do a physical exam, order lab tests or ask questions about your medical health because what appears to be Bipolar Disorder can often be linked to an underlying physical health problem or even certain medications. The symptoms can mimic those of a medical condition or be triggered by a medical condition.
Bipolar disorder is frequently confused with other mental health conditions due to overlapping symptoms. In fact, it is estimated that up to 40 percent of people with bipolar disorder may be initially misdiagnosed. The most common mental health conditions confused with or co-occurring with Bipolar Disorder include:
Some of these psychiatric conditions, particularly ADHD and anxiety disorders, can exist alongside as comorbid conditions with Bipolar Disorder. A proper diagnosis by a psychiatrist is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment.
Certain medical physical health conditions can also mimic Bipolar Disorder:
When we see a sudden onset of Bipolar Disorder in a patient that has no history of mental health issues, we always explore the possibility of an underlying medical cause.
Once a proper diagnosis is established, then we develop an individualized treatment plan that may involve any one or a combination of treatments. Each individual’s experience of Bipolar Disorder is unique, and different people respond to different treatment methods. We create customized treatment plans for each of our patients to relieve symptoms and achieve individual goals and long-term results.
Medications and psychotherapy are often the first-line treatment approaches for Bipolar Disorder. A psychiatrist can prescribe effective psychotropic medications to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Many patients with Bipolar Disorder can be helped through therapy along with medication, while some opt for therapy or medication as standalone treatments. Other natural and supplement-based approaches – along with a variety of emerging treatments – can be explored as well.
Medications – ranging from mood stabilizers to antipsychotics – are often used to manage mood episodes. Long-term care focuses on preventing relapse and managing symptoms, often with lithium, lamotrigine, or specialized antipsychotics, supplemented by psychotherapy and lifestyle changes like consistent sleep, exercise and stress reduction.
While medication can play a critical role in improving Bipolar Disorder, not all psychotropic medications have the same effects or are tolerated in the same way by different patients. It is crucial to monitor medications, their side effects, and how they impact symptoms. Psychiatrists also consider possible interactions with other medications or supplements. Co-existing conditions – both medical and psychiatric – are also evaluated. Psychiatric Medication Management and is an essential role a psychiatrist must assume in treating Bipolar Disorder.
Finding the right medication is not an uncomplicated process, and patience is essential. Patients may need to try several medications or a combination of medications before landing on one that works. Certain medications need several weeks or longer to have full effect and for side effects to ease as the body adjusts.
Inherited traits play a role in how certain medications affect you. If a family member has responded well to a specific treatment, it may work well for you. Additional variables other than genetics can affect your response to medication.
It is important to avoid using antidepressants alone (monotherapy) as they can trigger mania, which can potentially have deadly consequences.
It’s important to remember that stopping treatment abruptly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms, and quitting suddenly may cause a sudden worsening of symptoms or even trigger suicidal ideation. Patients should always collaborate closely with a psychiatrist to decrease medication gradually and safely.
There is valuable medical insight a psychiatrist brings to therapy that is beneficial in and of itself, even if you do not need or want medication-based treatment. Understanding how medical conditions or medications might be contributing to or even causing your Bipolar Disorder is just one example of how this insight can benefit treatment.
We offer holistic care, designed for your needs. If you need therapy and medication, together, hat is available. Some people seek to begin with both with the hope of transitioning off of medication eventually. However, if you are seeking medication management alone, that can be our focus. Likewise, you may not have an interest in medication and be seeking counseling alone.
Psychiatrists are trained and qualified to offer both psychotherapy and medication management. Some psychiatrists focus primarily on medication management, with shorter, medication-focused visits, relying on other therapists for talk therapy. We focus on providing options that work for you.
We often see Bipolar Disorder in multiple family members, and Collaborative Family Care is available as a treatment option that can address not only the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder but the impact of family dynamics on the experience of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder often has a pervasive impact on everyone connected to the patient’s life. Our comprehensive treatment options can help reestablish emotional balance and improve overall quality of life, not only for the patient but oftentimes for family members.
Sometimes a deficiency in certain nutrients can be an underlying cause of mood instability. Other times, an individual may be taking supplements that trigger mood instability, and they need to be discontinued. Natural and supplement-based approaches in psychiatric treatment use vitamins, herbs and nutrients to support mental health along with more conventional treatments.
Even with seemingly innocuous supplementation, however, it is important to receive professional guidance from a psychiatrist regarding the use of all supplements to avoid potential supplement-medication interactions.
Focusing on holistic wellness through other natural and lifestyle avenues like diet and nutrition, better sleep, healthy movement, sunlight, supplements and mind-body practices (e.g., yoga, meditation, acupuncture and more) can help to manage certain mental health conditions like anxiety. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), for example, is especially effective for Bipolar Disorder because it focuses on stabilizing daily routines and circadian rhythms.
Inpatient hospitalization for Bipolar Disorder may be considered when symptoms become acute and pose an immediate risk to safety or wellbeing. If a patient experiences severe symptoms – especially if behavior becomes a threat to the patient or other people – hospitalization may become necessary until symptoms improve. A severe inability to function in one or more arenas of life, including work, school, relationships, parenting, etc., may precipitate hospitalization. Increasing severity or new types of symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, suicidal ideation, etc.) may also require an inpatient stay.
Once the psychological evaluation is complete and an initial diagnosis is made, family involvement and active participation in treatment for Bipolar Disorder will be particularly important, not only for child or adolescent patients, but for adults as well.
Especially with Psychiatric Medication Management, family members and individuals who interact with the patient closely can provide invaluable feedback on how well the medication is working for symptom management, as well as any side effects they have noted.
The patient’s primary psychiatric provider will be able to address questions as long-term and short-term treatment goals are developed, with the consent of the patient, when necessary.
Whether you need psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments or holistic, natural approaches for your Bipolar Disorder, it is essential to have ongoing monitoring and follow-up with a qualified psychiatrist. Treatment for Bipolar Disorder can play a life-changing role in your mental and physical wellness and overall quality of life. Call (773) 594-9944 or contact us online for consultations.
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry, SC
5420 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
Phone:
(773) 594-9944
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