Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood affliction involving cycles of manic highs and depressive lows. Although it can significantly affect your daily life, you can successfully manage this condition with evidence-based treatment and support. At Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, in Abilene, Texas, licensed professional counselor Eva Foster, LPC, diagnoses and treats bipolar disorder to stabilize your mood and maximize your quality of life. Schedule an evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, once called manic depression, is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. You might be overjoyed one minute and extremely depressed the next. This constant mood cycling interferes with your daily life, including your job, your ability to make sound decisions, and your interpersonal relationships.

What types of bipolar disorder are there?

Examples of the different types of bipolar disorder include:

• Bipolar I disorder: at least one manic (feeling overjoyed) episode and sometimes depression
• Bipolar II disorder: At least one major depressive episode with at least one hypomanic episode that’s less extreme than mania
• Cyclomania: at least two years of periods of hypomania and depression

Other types of bipolar disorder are brought on by alcohol, drugs, strokes, and other medical concerns.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder symptoms can include:

• Being more energetic than usual or exhausted
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Distorted sense of well-being
• Talking a lot or rapidly
• Becoming easily distracted
• Having racing thoughts 
• Making poor, risky, or impulsive decisions
• Depressed mood
• Feeling hopeless, tearful, sad, or empty
• Losing interest in favorite activities
• Experiencing weight or appetite changes
• Being restless
• Feeling worthless, guilty, or shameful
• Finding it difficult to concentrate
• Entertaining suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation)
• Experiencing physical health concerns

You might also have anxiety and feel as if you’re losing control.

What raises my risk of bipolar disorder?

The cause isn’t known, but bipolar disorder risk factors appear to include:

• Family history of bipolar disorder
• Severe stress
• Trauma
• Drug and/or alcohol misuse

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be similar to those of other mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety. Eva determines which you have and how to manage it.

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Eva completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to learn if you have bipolar disorder. She uses criteria from the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition” (DSM-5) to discuss your emotions, moods, behaviors, and lifestyle. She personalizes a treatment plan offering mood stability and an enhanced quality of life. 

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Eva offers therapy to stabilize the moods of people with bipolar disorder. She works with you to create behavior-change strategies and long-term management. The therapies offered include:

• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Family-focused therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Person-centered therapy
• Somatic therapy
• Veterans counseling

Eva also encourages you to maintain healthy habits, like minimizing stress, getting plenty of sleep, staying active, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Schedule a bipolar disorder evaluation at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.