About The Author: Ana Lopez Hopkins MSN, PMHNP-BC
Ana Lopez Hopkins MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board certified Bipolar Treatment Specialist in San Diego, Ca. Diagnosis and testing for Bipolar Treatment San Diego for adults, children, and teens.
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Bipolar Treatment San Diego
Welcome to the website of Ana Lopez Hopkins, MSN, PMHNP-BC, she is an expert in bipolar treatment San Diego. Ana provides comprehensive and customized care to patients with bipolar disorder, so that they may have the attention and treatment they deserve, therefore to live a normal and productive life.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment Q & A
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder. Bipolar disorder is defined by a variation of mood shifts between emotional poles called mania or hypomania (highs) and depression (lows). These shifts can affect your energy levels, behavior, and daily life. This makes it very difficult to maintain relationships and affects the ability to perform responsibilities. The symptoms can be managed with proper treatment to therefore, lead a quite accomplished and productive life.
What Are The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Manic and Hypomanic Episodes
Mania is more severe than hypomania and can lead to significant impairment in functioning. Mania can cause delusions, psychosis and can require hospitalization. Hypomania doesn’t result in psychosis or require hospitalization. The symptoms are:
Elevated Mood:
Inappropriate euphoria and also irritability.Increased Energy:
Abnormal activity levels and also restlessness.Reduced Need for Sleep:
Sleeping for a few hours and feeling rested.Racing Thoughts:
Racing thoughts and also talking fast.Distractibility:
Cannot focus on single tasks.Impulsivity:
Impulsive behavior like one, shopping sprees, two, sexual adventures, and finally, impulsive decisions.Grandiosity:
For instance, unrealistic self-esteem along with unrealistic expectations about one’s abilities.
Depressive Episodes
Symptoms of depressive episodes resemble major depression and include:
Persistant Sadness:
Feeling empty, hopless, or tearful.Loss of Interest:
For instance, loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.Changes in Appetite:
Weight loss or gain.Sleep Disturbances:
For instance, insomnia and hypersomnia.Fatigue:
Low energy and exhaustion.Feelings of Worthlessness:
Excessive or inappropriately placed guilt.Cognitive Impairments:
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering.Suicidal Ideation:
Thoughts of suicide and death.
What are The Different Types of Bipolar Disorders?
Bipolar disorder comes in many different forms. Each type has different symptoms and characteristics. Because of this, bipolar disorder needs to be diagnosed and treated by a bipolar disorder treatment specialist. The different types of bipolar disorder are:
Bipolar 1 Disorder:
You’ve had one or more manic episodes, often accompanied by depressive episodes.Bipolar II Disorder:
You’ve had cycles of hypomanic and depressive episodes, but not manic episodes.Cyclothymic Disorder:
Mood changes made up of periods of depressive and hypomanic symptoms that are less intense than the symptoms for Bipolar I and II.Other Bipolar and Related Disorders Specified and Unspecified:
Bipolar symptoms that do not fall into the above categories but result in obvious distress or impairment.
4 Tips On How To Ask For Help With Bipolar Disorder
GO TO TIPSHow is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis must be established for the proper treatment to be started. The diagnostic process typically involves, for example:
Comprehensive Evaluation:
Thorough medical and psychiatric history.Physical Exam:
To rule out other medical illnesses.Mental Health Evaluation:
Extensive interviews to talk about symptoms, family history, and patterns of behavior.
Bipolar Treatment San Diego-Criteria for Diagnosing Bipolar I Disorder
- A single manic episode of at least a week’s duration, or any episode that requires hospitalization. Also, the episode is also marked by an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, and increased goal-directed activity or energy.
- Three or more other symptoms such as grandiosity, reduced need for sleep, talkativeness, flight of ideas, distractibility, increased activity, or reckless behavior can be experienced.
Bipolar Treatment
Bipolar Treatment entails a combination of first, medication, second, psychotherapy, third, lifestyle change, and finally, support. Additionally, treatment programs are tailored according to the individual’s needs and symptom type and severity.
” Although children and teenagers with bipolar disorder are diagnosed with bipolar disorder based on the same criteria used for adults, symptoms in children and teens often have different patterns. Also, children who have bipolar disorder are often diagnosed with other mental health conditions, such as ADHD or behavior problems.”