Ever feel like your emotional highs are higher than others’, and your lows lower? This condition, also called manic depression, is a condition of extremes. It can run in families. How your brain works and even its structure might figure in, too. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help you manage your life and feel more stable.

You have bouts of over-the-top energy and excitement.

This is mania. It’s a high that goes way beyond “happy” or “joyful.” Some people have it often, others hardly ever.

Hypomania is a milder form of this feeling. It doesn’t turn into psychosis (lose touch with reality) like mania can, but it’s part of a bipolar diagnosis. You might feel great and get a lot done, but those around you might see changes in your mood and activity levels.

Your depression goes way deeper than just “feeling down.”

Bipolar depression shows up in different ways for different people. You might feel overwhelming feelings of failure, guilt, or deep loss can trigger suicidal thoughts. You might sleep too much or even find it hard to get up. The smallest decisions can seem huge.

Others signs to look for:

• You find it hard to focus.
• You feel like you can’t enjoy anything.
• You eat too little or too much.
• You’re weary, and your movements seem slow.
• You’re forgetful.

In order to get a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you must have several depression symptoms that make it hard for you to function every day for at least two weeks and must have had at least one manic or hypomanic experience.

I believe I can help you learn to manage your mood more effectively through techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. Contact me today for an appointment.