Bipolar Disorder in Westlake Village

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks.
- There are three types of bipolar disorder. 

BIPOLAR TYPE 1 – Depression + Mania – Most Severe form 

BIPOLAR TYPE 2 - Depression + Hypomania – Depression more pronounced

CYCLOTHYMIA- Depression + Hypomania – Both Phase mild & shortlived

All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes. 

UNSPECIFIED BIPOLAR – Doesn’t meet criteria for any of the above

TREATMENT : An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. The most common types of medications that are prescribed include mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics.