Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood and energy. These shifts affect normal thinking and function. Rachel Smith-Bowery, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric mental health specialist in Copperas Cove, Texas. She diagnoses and treats bipolar disorder through her telehealth practice. Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that needs ongoing mental health care. Call today or schedule an appointment online for compassionate and attentive psychiatric management. Rachel offers telehealth services for people living in Texas and Florida.
It’s normal to encounter emotional ups and downs. You feel thrilled when you get a promotion and sad when a loved one leaves or dies. Those with bipolar disorder must deal with extreme mood shifts that differ from these everyday highs and lows.
Bipolar disorder symptoms fall into two categories: depression and mania.
Depression causes extreme sadness and despair, making it hard to get out of bed. People with bipolar disorder can experience depressive episodes lasting several weeks, sometimes longer.
Mania is a highly elevated mood (joy, euphoria) and energy level, making it hard to sleep or focus, causing anger and irritability.
Bipolar disorder symptoms vary in type and severity. Rachel classifies your mental illness into a type based on how severe your symptoms are.
Bipolar disorder types are:
People with bipolar I disorder have manic episodes that last a week or more or require hospitalization. They then fall into a depressive episode that lasts several weeks.
People with bipolar II disorder have moods that fluctuate between hypomanic and depressive episodes. Hypomanic episodes are less severe than full-on manic episodes and don’t require hospitalization.
People with cyclothymia fluctuate between periods of hypomania and depression for two or more years.
You can expect a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation from Rachel at your initial telehealth appointment for bipolar disorder.
Rachel asks detailed questions about your symptoms, when they occur, and how they affect your life. She reviews your medical and mental health histories and your family history.
Rachel might also administer a psychological evaluation to confirm a diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic (ongoing, life-long) mental illness requiring ongoing mental health care. Treatment can include psychotherapy, medication management, and self-care.
Rachel provides all the services you need through telehealth, making getting ongoing help and support more convenient.
Call Rachel Smith-Bowery, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, today or schedule your bipolar disorder telehealth evaluation using the online booking button.