san diego drs who specialize in bipolar disorder treatment

Full Answer

What kind of doctor is best for bipolar disorder?

Treatment is best guided by a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (psychiatrist) who is skilled in treating bipolar and related disorders. You may have a treatment team that also includes a psychologist, social worker and psychiatric nurse.

What is the most popular treatment for bipolar disorder?

The most widely used drugs for the treatment of bipolar disorder include lithium carbonate and valproic acid (also known as Depakote or generically as divalproex). Lithium carbonate can be remarkably effective in reducing mania, although doctors still do not know precisely how it works.

What are the 2 most common treatments for bipolar disorder?

You'll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control episodes of mania or hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).

Can a primary care doctor prescribe bipolar medication?

Primary care physicians can provide life-changing psychiatric and medical treatment and support to patients with bipolar disorder and their families.

Does Bipolar worsen with age?

Changes in the frequency and severity of episodes are among the most evident changes in bipolar disorder at an older age. Research suggests that older adults with bipolar disorder often experience: more frequent episodes. more depressive episodes and less time spent in manic or hypomanic states.

What is a good mood stabilizer for bipolar?

Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be the most effective mood stabilizer for depression in bipolar disorder, but is not as helpful for mania. The starting dose of lamotrigine should be very low and increased very slowly over four weeks or more.

What is the safest bipolar medication?

Lithium stands out for its preventative effects in bipolar disorder, but it also has important benefits outside of the manic-depressive symptom lists. It is the only mood stabilizer that significantly reduces the risk of suicide, and it reduces mortality in other ways as well.

What are 5 signs of bipolar?

Symptoms - Bipolar disorderfeeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time.lacking energy.difficulty concentrating and remembering things.loss of interest in everyday activities.feelings of emptiness or worthlessness.feelings of guilt and despair.feeling pessimistic about everything.self-doubt.More items...

What drugs can trigger bipolar disorder?

Drugs with a definite propensity to cause manic symptoms include levodopa, corticosteroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids. Antidepressants of the tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitor classes can induce mania in patients with pre-existing bipolar affective disorder.

What can mimic bipolar disorder?

Some non-psychiatric illnesses, such as thyroid disease, lupus, HIV, syphilis, and other infections, may have signs and symptoms that mimic those of bipolar disorder. This can pose further challenges in making a diagnosis and determining the treatment.

What is the physical exam for bipolar disorder?

There are no specific blood tests or brain scans to diagnose bipolar disorder. Even so, a doctor may perform a physical exam and order lab tests, including a thyroid function test and urine analyses. These tests can help determine if other conditions or factors could be causing your symptoms.

Can bipolar disorder be cured permanently?

There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but through behavior therapy and the right combination of mood stabilizers and other bipolar medicines, most people with bipolar disorder can live normal, productive lives and control the illness.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also called bipolar I disorder and previously called manic depression, is a condition that involves mood swings with at least one episode of mania and may also include repeated episodes of de ...

What is a psychiatrist?

What is a Psychiatrist? A certification by the Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; practitioners are skilled in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, addictive and emotional disorders. He or she is trained to understand the biological, psychological and social components of illness and is qualified to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, as well as to evaluate and treat psychological and interpersonal problems. The psychiatrist is also prepared to intervene with individuals and families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Though you may notice additional symptoms, such as changes in activity levels, sleep, behaviors, and even thoughts.

Does MHC San Diego treat bipolar disorder?

You don’t have to suffer from bipolar disorder. If you’re looking for bipolar disorder treatment in San Diego, MHC San Diego is one of the most renowned facilities in Southern California. Continue reading to discover more information about bipolar disorder.

Understanding Bipolar Symptoms

We all have times where our moods are up and down. Those normal fluctuations are not bipolar, nor are they mental disorders. Instead, diagnosed bipolar disorder in adults is a complex brain disorder causing changes in mood, energy, and functionality.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Long-term treatment can happen after you receive a formal diagnosis. To make an accurate diagnosis, your healthcare provider may go over your complete medical history and do a physical exam and lab tests to rule out underlying health conditions that could trigger your symptoms.

Bipolar and Addiction

As is the case with other mental illnesses, there is a risk factor for substance use disorders. There’s a strong link between bipolar and addiction. According to research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as many as 30% to 50% of people with bipolar may develop a substance use disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol and another mental condition, your treatment should be for dual diagnosis. What is dual diagnosis treatment?

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering treatment for a co-occurring disorder, we encourage you to contact The Mental Health Center of San Diego at 858-465-7722. The main priority is that you receive treatment that’s individualized and tailored to your needs. That’s at the core of co-occurring addiction and bipolar disorder treatment.

KMG Psychiatry

Approximately 5 million people in the United States suffer from bipolar disorder, a mental illness that causes a dramatic shift in a person’s mood and ability to think clearly. At KAB Medical Group Inc. in San Diego, Hollywood, and National City, California, the team diagnoses and treats bipolar disorder so you can lead a healthy, productive life.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings, including intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and deep emotional lows (depression). These episodes may occur occasionally or several times a year; it varies from person to person.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Your bipolar disorder symptoms depend on whether you’re experiencing a manic episode or a depressive episode.

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

A proper diagnosis is crucial for treating bipolar disorder. To rule out other conditions, KMG Psychiatry may recommend a physical exam. In some cases, thyroid disease can mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

KMG Psychiatry may recommend a combination of the following treatments for bipolar disorder:

What is the best treatment for bipolar disorder in San Diego?

Solar Mental Health has the best bipolar disorder treatment in San Diego. Our primary focus is to enable you to successfully manage Bipolar disorder symptoms and any attending disorders so that you can leave the life you are meant to live.

What is the genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder?

Genetic predisposition is thought to play a role in the development of Bipolar Disorder. There is a strong correlation between the disorder and a family history of it, though, there is no definite singular gene to blame for the complex disease. Environmental factors are thought to provoke these predispositions.

How long do bipolar episodes last?

Manic episodes typically last a week, whereas depressive episodes last roughly two weeks.

What are the four types of bipolar disorder?

What are the 4 Types of Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder, and “ Not Otherwise Classified ” are the four categories of Bipolar Disorder.

When does bipolar disorder start?

Bipolar Disorder can reveal itself at any age but is most commonly uncovered in teenage years or early 20s. This is thought to happen due to hormonal changes and the development of the brain during adolescence and early adulthood.

Can bipolar disorder worsen?

People with bipolar disorder likely suffer from other mental health conditions that need to be treated. These additional conditions may worsen Bipolar disorder or make Bipolar treatment less successful. Some of these co-occurring conditions include:

Is bipolar disorder a single gene?

However, no single gene establishes the illness. These genes include hormonal genes and others accountable for brain chemistry. Those who have family members with a bipolar disorder are more at risk — roughly five times more likely than someone without a family history.