Bipolar Disorder Specialist
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Marc H. Epstein, DO
Adult Psychiatrist & Addiction Specialist located in Greenwich Village, New York, NY
Up to 4.4% of the population in the United States experiences bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. These numbers, however, are only estimates as the mental condition is often misdiagnosed or goes untreated, which is where a specialized psychiatrist such as Marc H. Epstein, DO, comes in. At his Greenwich Village, New York City practice, Dr. Epstein helps diagnose and treat bipolar disorder, giving his patients the necessary tools to function normally again. To learn more about bipolar disorder, call 347-244-7693 to request an appointment.
Bipolar Disorder Q & A
What is bipolar disorder?
Everyone experiences mood swings throughout their lives, going from happy to sad in mere seconds thanks to a precipitating event. But when these mood swings are dramatic, and aren’t necessarily caused by outside events, bipolar disorder may be at the root of the problem.
Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression because of mood changes that swing from a manic “high” to a depressed “low,” with very little time spent in between the two in a more balanced state of mind.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
There are several different types of bipolar disorder, which Dr. Epstein can determine during your evaluation, but they all carry some degree of the following:
Mania and hypomania
These conditions feature the same symptoms, but mania is more severe than hypomania. These symptoms include:
- Feeling energetic, even jumpy
- Euphoria, which is a disproportionate feeling of confidence and well-being
- Racing thoughts
- Talking incessantly
- Sleeping less
- Making bad decisions
- Being distracted easily
Major depression
On the opposite end of the mood spectrum, people with bipolar disorder swing from mania to major depressive episodes, which are characterized by:
- Overwhelming feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Excessive sleeping or insomnia
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Inability to focus
- Suicidal thoughts
These swings can happen very infrequently or several times a year, which is why bipolar disorder has several different types, depending upon the frequency in which you move from a manic episode to a depressive one.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Because of the complexity of bipolar disorder, Dr. Epstein takes the time to properly evaluate you to make sure you get the appropriate treatment. To do this, he starts with several 60-75-minute sessions to review your symptoms, your medical history, your personal history, and your overall mental state.
If Dr. Epstein feels that you’re suffering from bipolar disorder, he recommends one or more of the following, depending upon your unique situation and the degree to which the disorder is affecting your life:
- Medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers
- Psychotherapy
- Treatment of co-occurring problems, such as a substance use disorder
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Dr. Epstein has extensive experience helping his patients level out their moods, allowing them to lead happy, productive lives.
To learn more about bipolar disorder, please call Marc H. Epstein, DO, at 347-244-7693.
