Bipolar Disorder Specialist

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental illness that affects mood — people with bipolar disorder cycle between manic and depressive episodes.

Manic episodes

During a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder feel full of energy. They’re elated and euphoric and feel like they’re on top of the world. They may also feel on edge, have racing thoughts, and struggle to get any sleep. 

Depressive episodes

During a depressive episode, a person with bipolar disorder feels very low, lacks energy, talks and moves slowly. They feel hopeless, worried, and empty. They may have trouble sleeping, or they may sleep all the time.

Episodes may last several days or weeks. 

What are the types of bipolar disorder?

There are three types of bipolar disorder. These types all affect a person’s mood, energy, and activity level, but at varying degrees. 

Types of bipolar disorders include:

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder causes severe manic episodes that last seven or more days. These episodes are so intense, they require hospitalization. This type also causes depressive episodes that may last two or more weeks.

People with bipolar I disorder can also have manic and depressive symptoms at the same time.

Bipolar II disorder

People with bipolar II disorder cycle between episodes of hypomania — a low-level mania — and depression. But these episodes are less intense than those in people with bipolar I disorder.

Cyclothymia

With cyclothymia, you have repeated episodes of hypomania and depression over a two-year period or one year (for children and teens). 

What are the treatments for bipolar disorder?

At Mental Health Wellness Boutique, Mrs. Ashamalla takes an integrated approach to care, combining medications and therapy to ease symptoms and help you manage bipolar disorder.

Medications

When it comes to medications, Mrs. Ashamalla works closely with you to find the right medication, or a combination of medications, to help you manage your bipolar disorder symptoms.

Therapy

Mrs. Ashamalla provides therapy, which may include individual therapy and family therapy. She understands the effect mental illness has on the entire family and works to repair interpersonal relationships, which ultimately leads to better outcomes. 

What are personality disorders?

People with a personality disorder think, feel, and behave in ways that deviate from the expected, causing problems that last a long time. There are several known personality disorders, including:

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Avoidant personality disorder
• Border personality disorder 
• Dependent personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder

To receive a diagnosis and discover the benefits of personality disorder treatment, call the Mental Health Wellness Boutique office in Peoria, Arizona, or schedule online today. Telemedicine appointments are also available.