Update
Blog
Written By DR IOANNIS DELIPALAS
Consultant Psychiatrist
Bipolar disorder belongs to the big family of affective disorders, which includes depression, recurrent depression, dysthymia, and pre- and postnatal depression. It also includes anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobias, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These mood swifts range from being overly happy, extremely euphoric, and doing things out of character, which would not normally reflect the character/usual behavior of the individual, to periods of low mood, low energy, and low productivity.
There are mainly two types of bipolar depression:
Bipolar depression type I is defined by manic episodes lasting for at least seven days during which the individual suffers from such severe symptoms that he can not be treated outside an in-care patient unit. Before or after the manic episode, depressive episodes can occur as well, lasting usually for about two weeks.
Bipolar Disorder type II is defined by hypomanic symptoms, which are less severe than manic symptoms and may include risky behaviors, rapid talking, restlessness, having decreased need for sleep, extreme creativity and “jumping from one task to another,” promiscuity, having a constant feeling of superiority and ability to accomplish things that most people can’t. Hypomanic episodes also last from three to seven days and can be followed by depressive episodes, which usually last for about two weeks.
Usually, there is a tendency to use excessive drinking to “tackle” these symptoms, which inevitably results in extending the duration of the hypomanic symptoms.
Bipolar Disorder is a severe psychiatric disorder with a profound impact on one’s ability to perform at work, affecting interpersonal relationships without neglecting the high risk for behaviors that may harm the individual or others.
The first line of treatment is the proper diagnosis is through a qualified psychiatrist in Dubai who will at first rule in/out conditions that may resemble hypomanic symptoms or depression(such as hyper- or hypothyroidism, deficiency of vitamins or other markers like iron, substance abuse, other medication) and then proceed with the diagnosis through a proper medical and family history which needs to inside the onset of symptoms.
The next step would be to form a treatment plan with the patient, including medical treatment and psychotherapy. Medical treatments for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers like valproate acid, lithium, carbamazepine, and atypic antipsychotic agents. Sometimes antidepressants may be of use, but monitoring the use is extremely crucial as they can lead to exacerbation of the manic/hypomanic symptoms.
Psychotherapy includes psychoeducation for acceptance of the condition along with the development of strategies to identify early markers of either hypomanic or depressive symptoms.
At The Valens Clinic, we offer access to the best psychiatrist in Dubai to help the individual address the mood swings but also identify co-morbidities such as underlying ADHD, substance abuse disorder, personality disorder, and anxiety disorders. For those seeking remote consultations, we also provide services from an online psychiatrist in Dubai to ensure continuous support.