Questions to Ask a Bipolar Disorder Specialist in Salem, NH

Psychiatrists are most qualified to diagnose and treat bipolar disorders and related disorders. Psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses may also be part of your treatment team.

A person with bipolar disorder suffers from it for their entire lives. The goal of bipolar treatment is to manage symptoms and keep the condition from dictating the patient’s life. A psychiatrist will use a combination of therapy and medication to treat bipolar disorder. Exactly what bipolar treatment will entail depends on the specific circumstances of your condition.

In many cases, you’ll need to start taking the medication immediately to balance your moods. Medications are required to treat bipolar disorder throughout one’s lifetime, even when feeling better. The chances of relapse are high for people who skip maintenance treatment.

Minor mood changes can develop into full-blown depression or mania if they stop treatment. A daily treatment program for bipolar disorder may be recommended by your doctor. To control your symptoms, these programs provide you with support and counseling. In instances in which you lose touch with reality, behave dangerously, or feel suicidal, your doctor may recommend hospitalization. Whether you are experiencing a manic or major depressive episode, getting psychiatric treatment in a hospital can help keep you calm and safe.

Several factors may contribute to bipolar disorder, but the exact cause is unknown. Physical changes appear in the brains of people with bipolar disorder. It remains unclear what these changes mean, but they may help pinpoint the causes in the future. There is a higher likelihood of developing bipolar disorder if you have a first-degree relative with the condition, such as a sibling or parent. Several genes may be involved in causing bipolar disorder, according to researchers.

Events responsible for triggering bipolar disorder are often traumatic in nature. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are often triggered by stressful circumstances or situations. The breakdown of a relationship is an example of a stressful trigger as is the death of a family member or a loved one, and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

The mood and energy levels of people with bipolar disorder fluctuate widely. Most people begin to experience symptoms of this disorder in their late teens or early adolescence, but it can affect anyone at any age.

Leaving bipolar untreated may cause the condition to worsen with age. With time, symptoms may become more severe and more frequent than when they first appeared. A person is more likely to experience problems in their daily responsibilities or personal relationships the longer they go without treatment. Although each case is different, older individuals usually do suffer more intense symptoms of bipolar. Proper treatment, however, can mitigate bipolar symptoms at any age.

Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme mood swings (among other symptoms). In bipolar disorder, a person will alternate between episodes of mania (high mood) and depression (intense sadness). There will be periods in which they experience a normal mood in between these two extremes.

There is a feeling of well-being, energy, and optimism associated with mania. Nevertheless, these feelings can be so intense that you can lose touch with reality. There are times when you may believe strange things about yourself, make bad judgments, and behave in ways that are embarrassing, harmful, and even dangerous. An individual with mania may have trouble managing their lives in an effective manner. In the absence of treatment, mania can damage both your personal and professional relationships.

It is a totally natural thing to experience feelings of sadness from time to time. Losses and painful events trigger this reaction but as time passes, these feelings fade away. Those with bipolar disorder may experience more severe depressive episodes. As depression persists, daily tasks and problems of living become increasingly difficult to handle.

Bipolar treatment is available for patients in Salem, NH, from Norrine McNelley, PMHNP-BC. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 202 Main Street Suite 102 Salem, NH 03079. We serve patients from Salem NH, Windham NH, Atkinson NH, Plaistow NH, Pelham NH, Hampstead NH, and surrounding areas.