Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out daily tasks. At Ascend Psychiatry & Therapy in Tukwila, Washington, we provide expert evaluation and ongoing management for bipolar disorder.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania or hypomania (elevated mood and energy) alternating with episodes of depression. These mood episodes are more severe than the normal ups and downs that everyone experiences. The condition is often misunderstood and stigmatized, which can prevent people from seeking the help they need. An accurate diagnosis is essential because bipolar disorder requires a different treatment approach than depression alone.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder involves manic episodes lasting at least seven days, or manic symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization, usually accompanied by depressive episodes. Bipolar II Disorder involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes seen in Bipolar I. Cyclothymic Disorder involves periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting for at least two years that do not meet the full criteria for hypomanic or depressive episodes.

Signs and Symptoms

Manic episodes may include feeling unusually upbeat or wired, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased activity or agitation, poor decision-making such as excessive spending or risky behavior, and inflated self-confidence. Depressive episodes may include feeling sad or hopeless, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.

Our Treatment Approach

Bipolar disorder requires careful, ongoing management. Ethiopia Zerfu, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, provides thorough psychiatric assessments to ensure accurate diagnosis, mood stabilizer and other medication management, regular monitoring to track mood patterns and medication effectiveness, education about recognizing early warning signs of mood episodes, and a collaborative treatment approach that respects your input and preferences.

Long-Term Support

Living well with bipolar disorder is absolutely possible with the right treatment plan and consistent care. We are committed to walking alongside you on this journey, providing the expertise and compassion you deserve. We offer both in-person and telepsychiatry appointments for patients across Washington State.