Bipolar Disorder

About six million Americans have bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by extreme mood swings. At My Psych Today in Katy, Texas, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Alaa Mhsen, PMHNP, diagnoses and offers holistic treatments for bipolar disorder to stabilize your mood and enhance your well-being. Schedule an evaluation at My Psych Today by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today. 

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood fluctuations ranging from emotional highs cycled with feelings of depression. These continuous mood swings can negatively affect school, your job, or interpersonal relationships when not addressed. At My Psych Today, Alaa offers highly effective solutions for bipolar disorder.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can cause:

• Severe mood swings
• Euphoria cycled with depression
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Extreme excitability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety
• Poor judgement
• Inability to think clearly
• Behavior challenges
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Financial struggles
• Thoughts of suicide
• Poor work or school performance
• Interpersonal relationship challenges

While bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, Alaa helps you manage debilitating mood swings by following his personalized treatment plan. 

What are the different types of bipolar disorder?

Common bipolar disorder types include:

• Bipolar I disorder: at least one manic episode, often with hypomanic or major depressive episodes, and sometimes psychosis.
• Bipolar II disorder: at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode without a manic episode.
• Cyclothymia: at least two years (one year in children and teenagers) of hypomania symptoms and depression symptoms that are less severe than major depression. 

Additional types of bipolar disorder may be caused by medical conditions, drugs, or alcohol misuse. 

What are the risk factors for bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder risk factors include brain changes, family history of bipolar disorder, drug or alcohol abuse, or periods of high stress or trauma. However, the exact cause isn’t fully clear. Bipolar disorder may begin at any age but is often diagnosed during the teenage years or early 20s. 

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Alaa diagnoses bipolar disorder by completing a psychiatric evaluation. This entails asking a series of questions about your thoughts, moods, emotions, and behaviors — as well as your lifestyle, medical history, and medications. He then tailors a treatment that’s best suited to your needs and goals.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Treating bipolar disorder at My Psych Today often consists of making lifestyle adjustments, medication management, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, psychoeducation, or other therapies. My Psych Today also offers a highly effective intensive outpatient program for severe cases.

It’s helpful to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting enough sleep, avoiding drugs and alcohol, exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and trying holistic stress reduction techniques like yoga, tai chi, massage, and meditation.

Schedule a bipolar evaluation at My Psych Today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.