Bipolar Disorder is a complex mental health condition that necessitates treatment from a qualified bipolar disorder psychiatrist as well as therapists. With the right combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, many individuals with bipolar disorder can lead stable, fulfilling lives, effectively managing their symptoms and achieving long-term wellness. Let’s take a look at the two most commonly diagnosed forms of bipolar disorder. Bipolar 1 In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar 1, a patient must have experienced at least one manic episode lasting for at least seven days, unless hospitalization is required. Manic episodes can be quite frightening and include symptoms such as racing thoughts, sleep deprivation, risky behavior and impulsivity. The mania you experience must be severe enough to cause impairment in your daily functioning. Depressive episodes also are quite common, and this disorder used to be called manic depression. However, while not all patients experience a major depressive episode (lasting at least two weeks), many will. In general, Bipolar 1 is considered the most severe and disruptive of these two main types. Bipolar II While Bipolar II tends to be less severe, it still can disrupt your daily life and inhibit you from being able to handle work, school and other obligations, as well as increasing difficulties in your relationships with friends and family. For diagnosis, a person with Bipolar II must have experienced at least one hypomanic episode. This is a less severe manic episode than one experiences with Bipolar I and while the symptoms are similar, they are less severe. While a major depressive episode is not required for Bipolar I diagnosis, this criteria is required for Bipolar II. Depression tends to be more persistent with Bipolar II than with Bipolar I. The mania might be less severe with Bipolar II, but the depression can be equal to or more intense than one experiences with Bipolar I. You often hear people say that Bipolar II is a milder form of the disease, but as a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder, I find that the bouts of depression experienced by Bipolar II patients can be just as debilitating as the intense mania of Bipolar I. Neither disease is easy to handle, and you definitely should not try to self-medicate or self-treat. Professional help truly can guide you to a better mental state that allows you to enjoy an easier and happier life. Additional Bipolar DiagnosisDid you know that there are additional types of bipolar disorder? While Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 are fairly well-known terms, there are other types, and each is categorized by variations in mood episodes, severity, and duration. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of these additional manifestations of bipolar disorder.
Co-Occurring Disorders & MisdiagnosisIn some cases, the symptoms you experience may be due to another mental health condition. Bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms, particularly when it comes to mood changes and emotional dysregulation. For instance, Borderline Personality Disorder can be confused with bipolar disorder due to the rapid mood shifts, emotional instability and impulsivity often seen with borderline patients. Certain symptoms of ADHD and PTSD also might be mistaken for bipolar disorder. Of course, I am often asked how often does ADHD co-occur with bipolar disorder? It’s quite common for people with bipolar disorder to also have ADHD. Bipolar patients also might suffer from PTSD, anxiety, OCD or other disorders. Co-occurring disorders are very common, and your bipolar disorder psychiatrist should provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis that addresses all of your symptoms and disorders. When Should You Seek Treatment?Bipolar disorder won’t simply go away on its own, you will need to create a treatment plan that helps you manage symptoms. As a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I recommend seeking psychiatric treatment if you experience any symptoms that interfere with daily life functioning. This is advice I would give to any patient, regardless of their mental health condition. Whether you suffer from anxiety or ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression or PTSD, if these conditions are reducing your enjoyment of life and making it difficult to manage work and school commitments or relationships, please seek treatment. Bipolar disorder is treatable, and there is hope for those suffering from any type of this disorder. A combination of therapy, medications and self-help strategies can make life much easier and even help you avoid the deep depression and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. To treat this disorder, you will want to work with a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder as well as a psychologist or therapist that specializes in this disease. A psychiatrist can provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis as well as prescribe medication. A psychologist or therapist cannot prescribe medicines, but they can provide you with different types of beneficial therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectal behavior therapy. In addition, some lifestyle changes have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating a balanced diet and ensuring that you have daily exercise can help regulate your mood and reduce stress. Stress is a very common trigger for mood disruption, and proper sleep and exercise can be hugely beneficial. As a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder, I recommend avoiding alcohol, recreational drugs and even caffeine as these can affect mood and interfere with the bipolar medications you are taking. As we meet for your initial diagnosis, be sure to tell me about all of the prescribed medications you take as well as supplements and be honest about your alcohol and drug use. Remember, I am here to help you, not to judge you. I know that many individuals with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses often self-medicate as the symptoms of these diseases can be overwhelming. However, our goal with treatment is to ensure that you are as healthy as possible so it’s best to work toward eliminating any risky behaviors from your daily routine. Adding daily meditation and activities such as yoga or mindfulness exercises also can be very beneficial. It’s also smart to keep a mood journal and document how you are feeling from day to day, as this can help identify mood triggers and help you better manage symptoms. Get Started With Treatment Today!If you are struggling with symptoms of bipolar disorder or any mental health condition, seeking treatment from a local psychiatrist can improve your life drastically. In addition to serving as a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I also work as an adult ADHD psychiatrist, anxiety psychiatrist, PTSD psychiatrist and depression psychiatrist. I also can treat additional disorders including OCD, eating disorders, substance use disorders and much more. I work as a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks, serving clients throughout the LA metro area and Ventura County.
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Bipolar disorder is a complicated mental health condition, and if you are one of the millions of Americans with some form of this disease, you are likely well aware of how difficult it can make life. As a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, however, I have seen many success stories with patients who can manage symptoms with effective treatment options. Let’s take a look at the types of therapy and treatments that may help. MedicationMedication has long been prescribed to individuals with bipolar disorder, and many people successfully navigate life once the correct medications and the correct dosage have been established. This process can take some time, and it’s not always a quick fix, but it can be very beneficial for many patients. Some of the drugs we might use include:
Psychotherapy In general, the best approach always includes some type of therapy. As a bipolar psychiatrist, I can prescribe medication and recommend a course of treatment, but you will want to find a psychologist or therapist who specializes in bipolar disorder for your therapy.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): For severe episodes or when medication and psychotherapy do not work, ECT can be effective, particularly for depressive episodes and, in some cases, mania. ECT was formerly called shock therapy and it has a rather dubious reputation throughout the psychiatric community. However, multiple studies illustrate its success with major depression, severe bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Another option to consider might be Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS. This option is less invasive and, for lack of a better word, a bit less scary. The FDA has allowed its use as a treatment for bipolar depression as well as for treating major depressive disorder, OCD and even issues such as migraine headaches. As a side note, migraines are extremely common in patients with bipolar disorder, and TMS might be an option to treat both your depression and migraines. What About Psilocybin? Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, as they are sometimes called, are gaining interest as a treatment option for some psychiatric disorders. However, because this substance has long been illegal federally, there have been few studies undertaken to gauge its safety or efficacy. It’s also worth noting that psilocybin is illegal in all but two states – Colorado and Oregon. Having said that, there are a few studies that suggest psilocybin might be a good treatment for depression as well as PTSD. As a psychiatrist, I am intrigued by the idea of using psilocybin as part of therapy and look forward to more studies and research as I believe it may yield positive results. However, it is important to understand that even in the states where it is decriminalized, it is being used at licensed facilities and not simply sold over the counter as you might purchase cannabis. People with bipolar disorder often self-medicate to alleviate symptoms, but I don’t recommend trying psilocybin on your own. With bipolar disorder, there also is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that psilocybin might activate a manic phase, which is not a good outcome. Again, more research needs to be conducted, specifically with bipolar patients before I would feel comfortable recommending this as a treatment option although I truly feel it has great promise to help those with treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. Additional Treatment OptionsAs a psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder, I recommend trying a multi-treatment approach to this disease. A combination of medication and different therapies tends to elicit the best results. However, the following tips have been shown to be helpful for patients with bipolar disorder as part of a combination approach. Lifestyle Modifications Can HelpChanging your lifestyle can make more of a difference than you might think. For instance, regular exercise can help improve your mood and reduce depressive symptoms. A healthy diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids also has been shown to help. It is recommended that you avoid red meat and foods high in saturated fat and trans fat, such as “junk” food. Creating a healthy sleep schedule is crucial, as sleep disruption can trigger both manic and depressive episodes. This is hugely important, and one step you can take is to create a sleep journal. Write down what you ate and when, and what you drank and when, as well as when you took medications, went to sleep, woke up, etc. This can help identify triggers that lead to poor sleep. I also recommend creating a sleep ritual that includes turning off electronic devices and perhaps winding down with some meditation, a warm bath and some relaxing music. Try The Mindfulness ApproachThese days, meditation is easier than ever before. For instance, many phone meditation apps can help you clear the mind and relax and de-stress, as well as classes in meditation and mindfulness. Deep breathing exercises also can be helpful and reduce stress and regulate your mood. Consider A Support GroupMany people with bipolar disorder struggle with feelings of isolation and feelings that no one truly understands what they are going through. Finding a support group can be a great way to feel less alone and isolated. Need A Psychiatrist for Bipolar Disorder? I Can HelpIf you’ve been searching for a bipolar psychiatrist near me but have yet to find someone who is a good match for you, feel free to contact our office at any time. While I work as a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks and serve the greater Los Angeles area, I also offer telepsychiatry and this can be a good option to consider if you can’t find a good fit in your immediate area.
I have extensive experience working with patients with bipolar disorder as well as co-occurring disorders. I can create a diagnosis and treatment plan that addresses all of the issues you face and help lead you on a journey to a brighter, happier future. If you need a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, please don’t wait another day to seek treatment. Help is available, and bipolar disorder can be managed successfully and long-term. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, finding a psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder can be the first step toward an easier, happier life. There are many treatment options available, and while it can take time to find the best options for you, help is available, and treatment can be successful. Let’s take a look at this illness and share some tips that can help you manage this condition. Bipolar Disorder Is StigmatizeBipolar disorder tends to be one of the most misunderstood psychiatric disorders, often portrayed unrealistically in TV shows and movies. One of the biggest misconceptions is that people with this illness are dangerous and violent, although this is rarely the case. Typically, when a person with bipolar disorder exhibits violent or aggressive behavior, there are many factors in play, such as childhood trauma, that feed into that behavior and it's not simply caused entirely by bipolar disorder. Additionally, these issues tend to manifest far more in patients with untreated bipolar disorder. When treated, people with bipolar disorder are no more violent than anyone else in the general population. It's also important to understand that people with bipolar disorder are not always experiencing either mania or depression. When well-controlled, a person may not experience any severe symptoms at all. That’s perhaps the most important fact about bipolar disorder to understand – treatment can be successful and people with bipolar disorder can enjoy a successful, fulfilling life. But, there’s no one size fits all treatment, so it can take time to create a plan that truly helps reduce your symptoms and allows you to live a better life. What Is Bipolar Disorder There are several types of bipolar disorder, which is classified as a mood disorder. Symptoms of bipolar disorder vary based on the type of bipolar disorder you have, but people often will experience these symptoms differently. In general, mood and energy levels are affected to some extent with any type of this disease, often severely. Mood stabilizers and other medications often are prescribed to reduce these symptoms; however, bipolar disorder treatment also should include additional types of therapy. Bipolar I Disorder With a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder, the patient will experience both severe episodes of mania and depression. The manic episodes will last at least a week, while the depressive episodes will last at least two weeks. A diagnosis of Bipolar I also can be made if these episodes were shorter in length but required hospitalization. There also may be episodes of hypomania, which is a milder type of mania. In some cases, a patient with Bipolar I also will experience symptoms of psychosis, such as confusion, delusions and even hallucinations. Bipolar II Disorder With this type of bipolar disorder, a patient will experience the same long periods of depression, but without the manic episodes, although they do typically experience some hypomanic episodes. In general, most people with Bipolar II will not experience psychosis or extreme mania as this is generally milder than Bipolar I. Cyclothymic Disorder This is the mildest form of this mood disorder, but it still can cause brief episodes of hypomania and mild depression that can be quite upsetting. If you experience mood swings that seem more severe than others, cyclothymic disorder is a possible diagnosis, especially if these mood swings continue for at least two years. Typically, people with this disorder will only have brief periods where they experience normal moods. 5 Tips For People With Bipolar Disorder1. Find A Specialist Ok, easier said than done, right? Most of my patients with bipolar disorder have seen a myriad of psychiatrists specializing in bipolar disorder, not to mention psychologists, therapists and other health professionals. It can be tough to find a psychiatrist with whom you feel comfortable and to find a doctor that truly meets your needs. However, these days, with telepsychiatry, you do have more options than ever before. In the past, we were often limited to finding that elusive “psychiatrist near me,” but an online psychiatrist can provide you with comprehensive treatment and the best part is that you can meet with your doctor anywhere you have an internet connection. With bipolar disorder, you do need to find a psychiatrist and not just a psychologist or therapist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, and they can assess all of your health issues and determine if any physical health conditions are impacting your mental health. They are also the only mental health professionals that can prescribe medication, which can be a highly successful treatment option for people with bipolar disorder. That said, I highly recommend that you also find a psychologist or therapist that specializes in bipolar disorder. Talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and other therapies can greatly reduce symptoms and help you better manage your life. A combination of medication and therapy tends to yield the best long-term results for any mental health condition. 2. Be Honest With Your Provider Trust me, your bipolar disorder psychiatrist has heard it all so there is no reason not to share all of the symptoms you are experiencing. It’s also crucial that you share everything with your doctor so that they can provide you with the most accurate diagnosis. After all, many people with bipolar disorder have co-occurring disorders and we need to treat everything, not just bipolar disorder. For instance, if you have an anxiety disorder or ADHD and bipolar disorder, both of which are quite common, we need to be careful about any medications that are used. There are ways to treat all of these disorders concurrently, but we need to diagnose them properly to find the best treatment. I am often asked how often does ADHD co-occur with bipolar disorder? Some studies suggest that as many as 1 in 6 people diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have ADHD. ADHD symptoms can be similar to some bipolar symptoms, so we need to be very careful during the diagnostic phase to ensure that we know precisely which disorders a patient is experiencing. When it comes to anxiety disorders, some studies suggest more than 40% of people with bipolar disorder also suffer from an anxiety disorder. I also find that many people with bipolar disorder suffer from addiction disorders, often as a result of trying to sort of self-medicate and reduce their symptoms. All of this needs to be addressed during treatment. 3. Stay Active & Eat Healthy Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Exercise has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety and improve mood. Similarly, a healthy diet can support overall well-being and energy levels. Avoiding alcohol and drugs also are crucial as these can interact dangerously with your medications or trigger and exacerbate mood episodes. While a consistent daily routine will not cure bipolar disorder, it can be helpful to create a workable, easy daily schedule. Don’t try to pile too much on your plate, so to speak and create a restful nighttime routine that allows you the best chance of enjoying a good night’s sleep. It’s also smart to keep a daily mood journal. Track your sleep patterns, as well, as sleep disruptions can lead to a manic or depressive episode. 4. Join A Support Group You are not alone! Many people have bipolar disorder, and it can be great to talk to others with this disorder. Not only will you feel less isolated, you will likely find it beneficial to share your experiences and will probably find some good strategies to help you cope with bipolar disorder. If you are the loved one of someone with bipolar disorder, I recommend educating yourself about this disorder and also perhaps seeking support as a caregiver. Both people with this disease and those that love and care for them need support! 5. Take Your Medications & As Prescribed Medications can greatly reduce or even eliminate symptoms of bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, once those symptoms abate, many patients decide now that they feel better, they don’t need to take their medication. Bipolar disorder is a chronic disease, and that means it’s always there, it’s simply being controlled by medication. Let’s compare it to asthma for a minute. This is also a chronic disease but when controlled by medication, the symptoms often go away. However, this doesn’t mean a person should stop treatment. Once you quit using your daily asthma meds, the symptoms will simply reappear. It's just the same with bipolar disorder except that while it can be relatively easy to get your asthma back under control, it’s not nearly as easy to get bipolar disorder back under control. Additionally, with some bipolar medications, you cannot simply just stop using them, you must gradually taper off these medications. Taking your daily medications and taking them exactly as prescribed is always the best option. If you do have concerns about your medications, contact your psychiatrist and discuss these concerns with them. They may be able to adjust the dosage or try a different medication, but it is never a good idea to simply stop taking your meds or alter the amount of your meds without professional medical advice. Call Dr. Jesalva Today If you need a psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder, I am always here to help and I offer telepsychiatry services. I also work as an anxiety psychiatrist, depression psychiatrist, addiction psychiatrist and can treat PTSD and other co-occurring disorders you may be facing. Don’t suffer another day with bipolar disorder, help is out there, and treatment can be successful. We will work together to come up with a treatment plan that truly transforms and improves your life.
Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging to say the least and many people mistakenly believe that there isn’t a quality treatment for this condition. However, a good bipolar disorder psychiatrist can help, and successful treatment is possible. However, before you contact a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, read the following facts.
1. Bipolar Disorder Is Treatable Most of my patients have tried various treatments for bipolar disorder with limited success, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a treatment that can work for you. Too often, doctors use a one-size-fits-all approach to treating bipolar disorder, but what works with one person might not work with another. A good bipolar disorder psychiatrist dives deep to understand the whole person. For instance, our patient might have additional mental health disorders or physical issues that also need to be addressed. A psychiatrist is both a mental health professional and a medical doctor and we have a unique ability to study each patient from both a mental and physical perspective. In order for bipolar disorder treatment to be successful, we also need to address any other co-occurring disorders or medical issues. 2. Take Some Notes Before you contact a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, it can be helpful to take some notes about how you feel each day. These notes should include your moods, what you ate or drank, what medications you took and your sleep patterns. It’s often difficult during that initial consultation to remember all of the details about your life, so writing it all down can help your bipolar psychiatrist come up with the best diagnosis and the best treatment options. It also is smart to continue this notetaking after we begin treatment. Write down your moods, any side effects from medication, how you slept, comments about your appetite, etc. This can help us gauge how the medication is working and if we need to adjust the dose or perhaps try a different type of medication. 3. Patients Need To Have Patience So often, I find that a patient will try out a new medication or perhaps cognitive behavioral therapy for a week or two, and then when they don’t see instant results, they become frustrated and stop the treatments. Medication can be an excellent tool to help patients control symptoms of bipolar disorder, but these medications do not work overnight. It takes several weeks, sometimes even a few months, to discover the ideal medication and the ideal dosage of that medication. I know that you are frustrated living with bipolar disorder, but if we are to find a truly effective treatment plan, it’s important to be as patient as possible while we work with medication and other types of treatment. It's important to understand that it takes time for the medication to work, and these medications do sometimes have unpleasant side effects. Usually, the side effects will dissipate after a few weeks, but it’s important to understand that some side effects are normal (albeit unpleasant), and others are more serious. We will discuss all of this in-depth when we talk about your treatment options. 4. Research Is Important There are many bipolar disorder psychiatrists out there, but, as you probably have discovered yourself, they aren’t all a perfect match for you. Before you contact a psychiatrist and make an appointment, learn a bit about them to decide if they are a good fit for your needs and personality. Most of us have websites that discuss our philosophy and how we treat patients. From my perspective, the initial consultation is crucial and if a psychiatrist only spends 30 minutes with you and just writes you a prescription, this is a red flag. Typically, my consultations involve several sessions where we dive deep to explore all of your symptoms as well as talking about your physical health. In some cases, we might want to consult with your personal physician and complete bloodwork and other tests to ensure that we find treatment plans that address all of your issues. Multiple consultation sessions also are necessary to ensure that we reach the correct diagnosis. There are a few different types of bipolar disorder, and these require different treatment plans. Additionally, you may have a disorder other than bipolar disorder, or you might have co-occurring disorders. It can be tricky to find the best psychiatrist to fit your needs, but I recommend that if you feel uncomfortable with a doctor and you don’t feel as though your doctor is truly listening to you and doing all they can to address your issues, find another psychiatrist. 5. You Don’t Need To Find A “Psychiatrist Near Me” Many people will do an internet search for a “psychiatrist near me,” when they begin looking for a doctor, however with telepsychiatry, you can find a great psychiatrist without ever even leaving your home. Telepsychiatry makes it easier than ever to find a bipolar disorder psychiatrist that fits your needs. A virtual psychiatrist visit can be just as impactful as an in-person appointment. Obviously, telepsychiatry became necessary during the pandemic, but many patients prefer this option to a face-to-face meeting. It is often more comfortable and comforting to stay in your home for our sessions and it saves you the time and hassle and stress of driving to a doctor’s office. Additionally, if you need to be out of town, we can still meet from just about anywhere on the planet with internet access. For telepsychiatry sessions, an online psychiatrist uses a HIPAA-compliant secure video conferencing platform to protect your privacy and we can handle many general psychiatric services via telepsychiatry. This includes assessment, diagnosis and medication management. I love telepsychiatry because it provides flexibility for my clients in the Los Angeles area (driving in LA traffic can be stressful, to say the least), but it also allows me to expand my services to just about anywhere in the country. Whether you need a psychiatrist in San Diego or a psychiatrist in Charlotte, NC, with telemedicine, I can help. Telepsychiatry also is a huge help for patients that live in rural or remote areas as driving to a doctor could take several hours. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past and just never found the treatments to be successful or you suspect that you have bipolar disorder and need help, I highly recommend that you contact a bipolar disorder psychiatrist as soon as possible. With proper treatment, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be reduced and managed. I understand how frightening, exhausting and frustrating it can be to deal with bipolar disorder, but with patience and perseverance, this disease can be managed. As a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I can provide you with a solid diagnosis and treatment plan that can help you live a better, happier and more fulfilling life. Give me a call today and we can set up an appointment in person or online. |
AuthorDr Jesalva is a psychiatrist. He is in private practice in Thousand Oaks, CA since 1989. He successfully treats very challenging patients with varying co-occurring disorders with medications. Archives
September 2024
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