Bipolar Disorder

If you or a loved one experiences extreme or debilitating mood swings, they might have bipolar disorder. At Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, in Chandler, Arizona, and Boise, Idaho, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Frances Spink, DNP, MSN, MBA, PMHNP-BC, offers therapy and medication to stabilize moods in people with this mental health condition. Schedule an in-person or virtual evaluation by phone or request one online today.
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F.A.Q.

Answers to Your Questions...

Bipolar disorder affects your mood. It’s characterized by depression cycled with excitability (mania). While you can’t prevent bipolar disorder if you’re prone to the condition, early detection and treatment can help people with the condition live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives.

Bipolar disorder leads to:
Frequent mood swings
Cycling between depression and euphoria
Fatigue cycled with excessive energy
Being very quiet or highly talkative
Changes in appetite or sleep
Impulsive decision making
Thoughts of suicide
Loss of interest in favorite things
Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
Work, school, or relationship challenges

You might be extremely happy one minute and down in the dumps the next.

Bipolar disorder can present as:
Bipolar disorder I
Bipolar I disorder involves one or more episodes of mania that are severe or last at least seven days, cycled with depression.

Bipolar disorder II
Bipolar disorder II consists of hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Hypomanic episodes are less intense than manic episodes.

Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by hypomania with mild depression lasting at least two years, sometimes paired with brief periods of mood stabilization.

Anyone can develop bipolar disorder, whether children, teenagers, or adults. The average onset is age 25. About 5.7 million adults in the United States have bipolar disorder.

Risk factors include:
Brain chemistry changes
Family history of bipolar disorder
Trauma
Stress
Drug or alcohol misuse

Stressful events can trigger depressive or manic episodes. However, the exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t clearly understood.

Dr. Spink diagnoses bipolar disorder after completing a psychiatric evaluation that assesses your emotions, mood, behaviors, and thoughts. She also addresses your medical history, lifestyle, and medications. Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, uses GeneSight® genetic testing to pinpoint the medications most likely to be effective for your genetic makeup.

Treating bipolar disorder typically involves psychotherapy, medication management, lifestyle changes, or combination treatments. Dr. Spink offers psychoeducation, interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-focused therapy, and other therapies known to reduce bipolar disorder symptoms.

Schedule an in-person or telepsychiatry bipolar disorder evaluation at Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, by phone or request one online today.

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