Bipolar Disorder

Approximately 2.8% of American adults are living with bipolar disorder, and 4.4% will have the disorder at some point in their lives. The mental health condition can cause extreme shifts in mood and behavior, making it difficult to maintain balance in daily life. David Kalkstien, MD, PhD, and the providers at David Kalkstein & Associates provide expert bipolar disorder care for adults in Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To learn more about innovative and effective treatment options, Reach out online or call the friendly staff today.

What is bipolar disorder? 

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder that causes intense swings in your mood and behavior. These shifts can last from a few hours to months and be manic, depressive, or hypomanic. 

With bipolar I disorder, you experience at least one manic episode that lasts more than seven days or requires hospitalization. With bipolar I, you may also experience a depressive episode. 

With bipolar II, you have depressive episodes and hypomanic states, which are less intense than a manic episode. 

If you have a chronically unstable mood and experience brief periods of normal mood (euthymia), you may have cyclothymic disorder. 

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Manic and depressive symptoms may occur simultaneously. Signs of a manic episode or mania include:

• Sudden mood swings 
• Intense happiness or excitement 
• Racing thoughts or rapid speech
• Sleeplessness 
• Recklessness
• Explosiveness 
• Impulsivity 
• Setting unrealistic goals 
• Acting important or inappropriately powerful 
• Delusions or hallucinations (in severe cases) 

Depressive episode symptoms include: 

• Debilitating sadness or hopelessness 
• Fatigue 
• Trouble feeling motivated 
• Irritability or agitation 
• Unexplained weight loss or gain 
• Sleeping too much
• Issues focusing 

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of self-harm or harming others, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) or 911 immediately.

What are my bipolar disorder treatment options? 

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed with another mood disorder and vice versa. Your provider at David Kalkstein & Associates conducts a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms and family history before properly diagnosing your type of bipolar disorder.  

They may also identify that you have related conditions like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Bipolar disorder can come and go throughout your lifetime, so ongoing treatment is crucial. 

Your provider may recommend a combination of treatments, including:

• Psychotherapy
• Mood stabilizers 
• Antidepressants
• Spravato® nasal spray
• Anti-anxiety medications 
• Atypical antipsychotics 
• Meditative techniques
• Yoga or exercise
• Healthy diet 
• Support groups 
• Substance abuse programs 
• Hospitalization (for severe cases) 

If your bipolar symptoms are severe and haven’t improved from other treatments, neuromodulation noninvasive therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are successful options.

Before proceeding with any brain stimulation therapy, your provider explains the details of the procedures, benefits, risks, and side effects. 

Call David Kalkstein & Associates today or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.