Bipolar Disorder
- Home
- Services
- Bipolar Disorder
About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.8% of American adults and around 1-2% of children under 18. The mental health condition can cause extreme swings in mood and behavior, making it difficult to succeed in school work and maintain healthy relationships. Emem Nkanga, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and the team at Mindful Solutions Psychiatry in Garland, Texas, offer expert bipolar care to patients over ten years old. To learn more about compassionate and effective treatment options, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.
Bipolar Disorder Q & A
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder that causes intense swings in your mood and behavior. These shifts can last from a few hours to months and can be manic, depressive, or hypomanic.
With bipolar I, you experience a minimum of one manic episode that lasts longer than one week or requires hospitalization.
With bipolar II, you experience depressive and hypomanic episodes — but never an intense manic episode.
If you have a chronically unstable mood and only experience short periods of normal mood (euthymia), you may have cyclothymic disorder.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Manic and depressive symptoms may occur simultaneously. Signs of a manic episode or mania in children and adults include:
- Mood swings
- Intense excitement or joy
- Impulsivity
- Recklessness
- Explosiveness
- Racing thoughts or speech
- Sleep loss
- Setting grandiose goals
- Losing or breaking things of value
- Conflicts with others
- Acting overly powerful
- Delusions or hallucinations (in severe cases)
Depressive episode symptoms include:
- Extreme sadness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Loss of appetite
- Overeating
- Oversleeping
- Trouble focusing
- Lack of motivation
- Talking or thinking about death or suicide
Children and adolescents’ symptoms may be confusingly similar to those of other common disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety.
What bipolar disorder treatments are available?
Medications are the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment. Depending on your specific diagnosis, your provider may prescribe:
- Mood stabilizers
- Atypical antipsychotics
- Antidepressants (carefully managed when needed)
- Anti-anxiety medications for short-term symptom relief
To improve accuracy in medication selection, we offer GeneSight® testing, which helps identify how your genetics may influence your response to certain psychiatric medications. This can help:
- Reduce trial-and-error prescribing
- Improve treatment effectiveness
- Minimize side effects
Your provider will closely monitor your response and adjust medications as needed to maintain mood stability.
Supportive Lifestyle Recommendations
In addition to medication management, your provider may recommend supportive lifestyle strategies, such as:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
- Regular physical activity
- Balanced nutrition
- Avoiding alcohol and substance use
- Stress management techniques
These habits can play an important role in stabilizing mood and improving overall well-being.
Advanced Care & Referrals
For severe or treatment-resistant cases, your provider may discuss advanced treatment options such as TMS or ECT and provide appropriate referrals when necessary. In urgent situations, hospitalization may be recommended to ensure safety and stabilization.
For children and adolescents, coordination with pediatricians or psychiatric specialists may be recommended to ensure comprehensive care.
Get Started Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with bipolar disorder, compassionate and individualized psychiatric care is available. Contact Mindful Solutions Psychiatry today to schedule a consultation or use our online booking system.