For those in the Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills and Camarillo areas of east Ventura County in Southern California, Dr. Jesalva offers diagnosis and care for bipolar disorder.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness) causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. In the manic phase, the patient will be highly energized and active, very cheerful and almost unable to sit still. During the depressive phase, the patient will be depressed, sad, feel hopeless, and have limited energy or severe fatigue. People with severe mania may need to be hospitalized to protect them from injury due to impulsive behaviors, like trying to fly off a building.
What Are the Symptoms?
Bipolar symptoms are opposite ends of the extreme. Manic symptoms include feeling “jumpy” or “wired,” talking very fast and feeling agitated or irritable. During the manic phase, the patient may have trouble sleeping, do risky things like spending a lot of money or having reckless sex. In the depressive phase, the patient may still have trouble sleeping, or may sleep excessively, feel tired and have little energy, feel sad or hopeless. In this phase, there is often a risk of suicide. Sometimes an episode may have both kinds of symptoms.
Are There Any Risk Factors?
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families; people who have a parent or sibling with this condition are more likely to develop the disorder themselves. On the other hand, even if one identical twin develops bipolar disorder, the other twin may not. Some studies indicate the brains of people with bipolar disorder are different compared to those who don't have the disorder. Bipolar disorder may also co-exist with conditions like thyroid problems, ADD/ADHD and substance abuse.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Medications are usually the first choice for people with bipolar disorder, and long-term therapy is very important. People with bipolar disorder may go for weeks or months without symptoms, and may be tempted to stop taking medications, which can be dangerous. Psychotherapy can also be helpful in combination with medications, and family counseling offers education, guidance and support to families and patients dealing with this disorder.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness) causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. In the manic phase, the patient will be highly energized and active, very cheerful and almost unable to sit still. During the depressive phase, the patient will be depressed, sad, feel hopeless, and have limited energy or severe fatigue. People with severe mania may need to be hospitalized to protect them from injury due to impulsive behaviors, like trying to fly off a building.
What Are the Symptoms?
Bipolar symptoms are opposite ends of the extreme. Manic symptoms include feeling “jumpy” or “wired,” talking very fast and feeling agitated or irritable. During the manic phase, the patient may have trouble sleeping, do risky things like spending a lot of money or having reckless sex. In the depressive phase, the patient may still have trouble sleeping, or may sleep excessively, feel tired and have little energy, feel sad or hopeless. In this phase, there is often a risk of suicide. Sometimes an episode may have both kinds of symptoms.
Are There Any Risk Factors?
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families; people who have a parent or sibling with this condition are more likely to develop the disorder themselves. On the other hand, even if one identical twin develops bipolar disorder, the other twin may not. Some studies indicate the brains of people with bipolar disorder are different compared to those who don't have the disorder. Bipolar disorder may also co-exist with conditions like thyroid problems, ADD/ADHD and substance abuse.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Medications are usually the first choice for people with bipolar disorder, and long-term therapy is very important. People with bipolar disorder may go for weeks or months without symptoms, and may be tempted to stop taking medications, which can be dangerous. Psychotherapy can also be helpful in combination with medications, and family counseling offers education, guidance and support to families and patients dealing with this disorder.