Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder causes mood changes that can become exhausting and disabling if untreated. At Kema Health Services, experienced board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Josyane Kengni, PMHNP, and the other specialists approach bipolar disorder care with compassion. They provide psychotherapy, behavioral therapies, and medication management to Maryland patients in the Frederick, Maryland, office and through telehealth. Book an appointment through online scheduling or call the office today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a group of mental illnesses. It was previously known as manic-depressive disorder because it features extreme mood changes. People with bipolar disorder experience very intense emotions and, in some cases, may swing from high to low mood. 

What are manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder?

People with bipolar disorder have manic or depressive episodes, but not necessarily both. 

Manic episodes

A manic episode describes an unusually “up” period, which commonly includes symptoms like excessive energy, euphoria, sleeplessness, and risky behaviors and lasts at least one week. Some people with bipolar disorder have hypomanic episodes, with symptoms the same as manic episodes but less intense and with a shorter duration (four days versus a week). 

Depressive episodes

Depressive episodes are “down” periods, featuring symptoms like extreme sadness, low energy, appetite changes, poor concentration, and feelings of hopelessness. Depressive episodes last at least two weeks. 

There are two main forms of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. People with bipolar I disorder experience manic episodes. They may have depressive and hypomanic episodes, too. 

People with bipolar II disorder have depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. 

Which type of bipolar disorder is more severe?

Bipolar I disorder is the more severe type of bipolar disorder. However, both types can be debilitating if untreated. Fortunately, there are effective strategies available to manage both types of bipolar disorder as well as cyclothymia (a less severe version of bipolar disorder). 

What treatment is best after a bipolar disorder diagnosis? 

Kema Health Services provides individualized bipolar disorder treatment for every patient. 

The main treatments include:

Medication

The American Psychiatric Association calls medication the cornerstone of treatment for people with bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers, which restore healthy brain signaling, are the most common medication for bipolar disorder. Antidepressants are another option, particularly for bipolar II disorder.  

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can help you understand your disorder better and gives you tools to manage and help prevent manic and depressive episodes.

Kema Health Services offers understanding, supportive, and non-judgmental mental health care in the most convenient way for you. You can have psychiatry appointments in the office or through your smartphone or computer with telehealth. Call the office or book your appointment online now.