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Bipolar disorder affects nearly 6 million adults. People with bipolar disorder suffer through periods of intermittent elevated manic or hypomanic behaviors, often experienced along with periods of depressed states that directly interfere with normal daily activities. With bipolar disorder, symptoms may vary from one person to the next, and a proper and correct diagnosis is often difficult to make — even for trained mental health professionals.

Statistics Show Bipolar Disorder Often Incorrectly Diagnosed

Some alarming statistics surround misdiagnosis. Around 70% of those who have bipolar disorder have received at least one misdiagnosis. For another 25% it took up to 3 years before correct diagnosis. Finding the right mental health professional who can pinpoint the disorder and start treatment immediately can be essential to moving toward a healthy life.

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Falls into Four Basic Types

The primary diagnosis of bipolar disorder is not only difficult to establish, but four basic types of this disorder also need to be considered when developing a successful treatment strategy and plan. An experienced and thorough mental health professional will typically use the DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a guideline for proper diagnosis.

The four basic types of bipolar disorder are:

• Bipolar I Disorder is defined by manic or mixed episodes that continue for at least a 7-day period, or by manic symptoms and behavior that are so severe that immediate medical and psychiatric care is needed. Depressive episodes are also seen, lasting for at least 2 weeks.
• Bipolar II Disorder where a pattern of depressive episodes with hypomanic episodes are exhibited. There are no severe episodes noted.
• BP-NOS, Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is a diagnosis given when symptoms of the disorder do exist but they do not meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar I or II. Symptoms and behaviors demonstrated are outside of a person’s normal range of behaviors.
• Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder where episodes of hypomania and mild depression occur over a 2 year period. The symptoms and behaviors displayed do not meet the criteria for any other type of bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder can also include seasonal changes in mood, rapid cycling mood shifts, and even psychosis.

Atlanta Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist with Long History of Successful Treatment

Bipolar disorder can be effectively treated and managed, affording you a functional life of work, family, social relationships and personal achievement. Find the right psychiatrist capable of making the correct diagnosis. Dr. Hege has a long history of successfully developing a comprehensive treatment plan that works.

Your life is too important to sort through a series of doctors hoping for the best. Make your first call to Dr. Darvin Hege, Atlanta’s renowned bipolar disorder psychiatrist, and start moving forward toward the healthy functional life that you deserve.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports bipolar disorder, also commonly known as manic depression, is a serious mental health issue affecting approximately 5.7 million adults in America — with 89% of those diagnosed as severe.

Bipolar Disorder’s Four Types of Mood Swings

A comprehensive diagnosis of bipolar disorder involves more than the assessment of mood shifts and behaviors. A qualified expert in psychiatry looks beyond clinical observation, interview and professional evaluation. The four types of mood episodes are mania, hypomania, depression and mixed state; an experienced bipolar disorder psychiatrist will pinpoint the type of bipolar disorder cycle and degree of intensity that is causing the most life disruptions.

Bipolar Disorder Cycles Have Unique Symptoms

Each type of bipolar disorder mood shift presents with their own unique set of symptoms. An experienced bipolar disorder psychiatrist works with you to develop a treatment plan that works around you own unique mood shift cycles. While some cycles last for days, other cycles may last for months at a time. Each episode can intensify to where it interferes with the ability to function at home, work and in the community.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms by Mood Disorder Type

The signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder vary from one person to the next along with cycle length and intensity.

• Mania Phase: Symptoms include euphoria, heightened energy and well-being, creativity, sleeplessness, hyperactivity, grandiose ideas and beliefs. The mania cycle may lead to feelings of anger, irritability, aggressive or reckless behaviors, sexual promiscuity, wild gambling, instigating fights, or making foolish choices in life.
• Hypomanic Episode: The bipolar disorder symptoms displayed here are typically a less severe form of mania. You feel good and accomplish many tasks, yet your family and friends still recognize definite mood swings. Without proper psychiatric evaluation and treatment, hypomania can progress into severe mania or depression.
• Bipolar Depression: Antidepressants do not help bipolar depression and typically make it worse. Antidepressants can trigger rapid cycling between mood states, interfere with other medications, push you into a psychotic depression, or an intense manic state. Assessment by an expert in bipolar disorder psychiatry like Dr. Darvin Hege will ensure you receive the right diagnosis followed by the most therapeutic medication regime.
• Mixed State: This type of bipolar disorder gives feelings of both mania and depression at the same time. In this equally tormented state are feelings of agitation, sadness, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, while feeling highly energized at the same time. Hallucinations and delusions can also occur. A missed or incorrect diagnosis could label you with schizophrenia instead of having bipolar disorder.

Atlanta Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist

Bipolar disorder is a complex chronic life-long condition that requires long-term treatment and development of a successful medication regime to prevent new episodes or reduce interfering symptoms. Stop the suffering and anguish – effective treatment exists.

Diagnosis of Atlanta bipolar disorder is often difficult and requires the skill of a seasoned expert such as Dr. Darvin Hege. Call the office to get the right help you need.

With the world’s seemingly unending stressful events, such as money issues, family problems, random violence in the news, many people can develop a mental health issue. Whether or not the problem is short-lived or becomes chronic, both respond to psychiatric medications that when properly managed lead to the successful treatment of life-disrupting mental illness.

Psychiatric Medications Critical Part of Treatment Plan

Psychiatric medications are often a critical element in the development of a successful mental health treatment plan. The National Institute of Mental Health separates psychiatric medications into six main groups which include medications used to treat ADHD, anxiety disorders, clinical depression, bi-polar disorder, mood disorders, or medications used as a sedative. A qualified psychiatrist carefully diagnoses and prescribes after a thorough evaluation and history taking.

Top Five Psychiatric Medications Prescribed

Psych Central reports that the top ranking medication from 2005 forward to today is Xanax / alprazolam used for anxiety, with almost 48 million U.S. prescriptions written on an annual basis. The other four psychiatric medications range from almost 24 million U.S. prescriptions a year to well over 37 million.

The 2nd ranked medication includes Zoloft/sertraline for anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and depression; 3rd, the drug Ativan for panic disorder and anxiety; 4th, Prozac/fluoxetine for anxiety and depression; and 5th, Celexa/citalopram for anxiety and depression. The variety of psychiatric medications used for ADHD rank all the way from 15th to 25th with yearly U.S. prescriptions totaling up to more than 35 million a year.

Common Psychiatric Medication Side-Effects

Psychiatric medication side effects vary from one person to the next. There are numerous factors that change how your body will react to any one or a combination of medications. The four main psychiatric medication side effects are:

• Weight gain
• Sexual issues or dysfunction
• Restlessness, hyperactivity, irritability or agitation
• Tiredness, drowsiness, memory deficits or clouded thinking

Other significant side effects which may require more immediate psychiatrist medication adjustment and management include:

• Diarrhea or GI upset such as nausea and vomiting
• Impaired coordination and control of body’s extremities
• Insomnia
• Blurred vision
• Cardio-pulmonary issues
• Drop in blood pressure with feelings of dizziness or syncope
• Black outs or feeling like you are in a trance or stupor
• Becoming despondent or having feelings of great sadness and despair
• Any change in your emotional or physical state that may be due to psychiatric medication side effect which is causing you emotional stress.

Atlanta Psychiatrist, Expert in Managing Medication Side Effects

If you are currently taking psychiatric medications and are experiencing side effects that have negatively impacted family, social relationships or work related interactions, it is time for a change – call Atlanta’s expert in managing and adjusting psychiatric medications.

Dr. Darvin Hege, M.D. Atlanta’s psychiatric medication side-effects doctor is ready to help you make the change for the better – call to set up an appointment today.