Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a mental disorder characterized by recurrent depression or mania with abrupt or gradual onsets and recoveries. The states of mania and depression may alternate cyclically, one mood state may predominate over the other, or they may be mixed or combined with each other.
Someone who is experiencing the depressive phase may be sad, despondent, listless, lacking in energy, unable to show interest in his surroundings or to enjoy himself, and may have poor appetite and disturbed sleep. The depressive state can be either agitated--in which case sustained tension, over activity, despair, and apprehensive delusions predominate--or retarded--in which case the patient's activity is slowed and reduced, he is sad and dejected, and he suffers from self-deprecatory and self-condemnatory tendencies.
Mania is a mood disturbance that may be characterized by intense excitement, elation, expansiveness, boisterousness, talkativeness, distractibility, and irritability. The person may talk loudly, rapidly, and continuously and progresses rapidly from one topic to another, is extremely enthusiastic, optimistic, and confident, is highly sociable and gregarious, gesticulates and moves about almost continuously, is easily irritated and easily distracted, and is prone to grandiose notions and shows an inflated sense of self-esteem.
Depression is the most common symptom, and many patients never develop a genuine manic phase, although they may experience a brief period of optimism and mild euphoria while recovering from depression.
Bipolar disorder is found in approximately one percent of the population and because of this and other factors, you or someone you know may not receive adequate treatment or a correct diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is thought to have a hereditary component and a therapist may recognize symptoms of bipolar disorder through taking a comprehensive family history. If you think you or a loved one may suffer from this disorder, call us for help.
REMEMBER: It is very important to immediately tell your physician if at any time you are having thoughts about harming yourself or others.
Therapist Donna J. Gould, (585) 248-9880
If you are interested in therapy, you may want to know if you are covered by your insurance policy. Find more information about insurance coverage here.
Pittsford Village Therapy Center Surrounding Rochester, NY Counties
Monroe County, Genesee County, Livingston County, Ontario County, Orleans County and Wayne County.
Pittsford Village Therapy Center Surrounding Rochester, NY Towns
Brighton, Chili, East Rochester, Fairport, Gates, Greece, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford, Victor and Webster