See a Westfield Psychiatrist to Treat Your Bipolar Disorder

Living with the symptoms of an untreated bipolar disorder can be difficult. Some days you feel as if you can do anything, and other days you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Furthermore, bipolar disorder can negatively impact everything from your relationships, work or school, and personal well-being.

Fortunately, help is available here at Westfield Psychiatry Group. Schedule your first appointment today to begin working on managing your bipolar disorder with guidance from an experienced psychiatrist in Westfield. We treat individuals with bipolar 1, bipolar 2, mixed, cyclothymia, and rapid cycling.

Recognizing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is often hard to recognize, especially in the early stages when it can be easily confused with other mood disorders or simply a feature of an individual’s personality. Early on, a person may have periods where they are energetic and ambitious, followed by periods where they are lethargic and unmotivated. Left untreated, these up-swings and down-swings become more extreme, eventually negatively impacting various aspects of the person’s life.

When you suspect you are bipolar—or that a loved one has the disorder—the next step is to speak with a psychiatrist. A qualified mental health professional will be able to determine whether the root of the problem is bipolar disorder or another issue. After a diagnosis is made, a customized treatment plan can begin—and so can a new chapter in life.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Unlike depression that encompasses only one aspect of a mood disorder, a person who's bipolar experiences depression and mania — usually not at the same time. When having a manic episode, the person has an extremely elevated mood and high energy, which is accompanied by abnormal behavior that disrupts his or her life. During a depressive episode, the person is plagued with feelings of hopelessness, low energy, even thoughts of suicide. You may need bipolar disorder therapy if you experience the following:

Manic Symptoms

Flying Suddenly from One Idea to the Next
Rapid, Pressured (Uninterruptable),
or Loud Speech
Increased Energy with Hyperactivity
Decreased Need for Sleep
Inflated Self-Image
Excessive Spending
Hypersexuality
Substance Abuse
Extreme Grandiose Ideas
Delusions

Depressive Symptoms

Sad, Empty, Hopeless, Tearful, or Irritable
Noticeable Loss of Interest in Usual Activities
Feeling No Pleasure in All
Significant Decrease or Increase in Appetite
Insomnia or Sleeping Too Much
Restlessness or Slowed Behavior
Fatigue or Loss of Energy
Feelings of Worthlessness
Excessive or Inappropriate Guilt
Decreased Ability to Think or Concentrate
Thinking about, Planning, or Attempting Suicide

How Bipolar Disorder Therapy Can Help

You’re not alone if you are dealing with bipolar disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, as many as 5.7 million Americans have been diagnosed as bipolar. Counseling alone cannot provide the comprehensive treatment you or your loved one needs. It’s important to schedule an appointment with our psychiatrists, who are best able to diagnose you and prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. There is a wide variety of effective medication available to help restore your life to normal again.

Contact us to set up an appointment if you think your loved one has bipolar. We proudly serve clients throughout Westfield, Scotch Plains, Cranford, Springfield, Montclair and Union, New Jersey, as well as the surrounding areas.

Member of the American Psychiatric Association