Bipolar disorder, earlier called “manic-depressive illness,” is a severe and usually persistent mental disorder characterized by mood fluctuation between two opposite extremes: depression and mania.
Early diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder in Dubai are essential to prevent repeated episodes and long-term social, professional, and psychological consequences.
At CHMC Dubai, our consultant psychiatrists provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, medication management, psychotherapy, and long-term follow-up for patients suffering from Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, cyclothymia, and mixed episodes.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Leading Psychiatrist, Dr. Kowal
Living with bipolar disorder can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, but you don’t have to face it alone. At our CHMC Clinic in Dubai, our expert psychiatrist, Dr. Kowal, provides personalized care to help you regain stability and peace of mind. Dr. Kowal is a German-Certified Consultant in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy with over 30 years of experience. His field of expertise is therapy for bipolar disorder.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive description of bipolar disorder, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, earlier called “manic-depressive illness,” is a severe and usually persistent mental disorder characterized by mood fluctuation between two opposite extremes: depression and mania.
There are four possible types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes.
Manic phases with elevated mood, drive, and restlessness alternate with severe depressive episodes with sadness, lethargy, and loss of self-esteem. The episodes can appear a few times per year, rarely once in a few years. In mixed episodes, patients experience elevated energy levels with irritability or dysphoria coexisting with depression.
Bipolar disorder often requires lifelong psychiatric treatment with medication and complementary treatment with psychotherapy and sociotherapy.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, earlier called “manic-depressive illness,” is a severe and usually persistent mental disorder characterized by mood fluctuation between two opposite extremes: depression and mania.
There are four possible types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes.
Manic phases with elevated mood, drive, and restlessness alternate with severe depressive episodes with sadness, lethargy, and loss of self-esteem. The episodes can appear a few times per year, rarely once in a few years.
In mixed episodes, patients experience elevated energy levels with irritability or dysphoria coexisting with depression.
Symptoms of Mania in Bipolar Disorder
A manic episode, also called mania, is a phase of extremely elevated mood and increased energy. People experiencing mania often feel unusually happy, powerful, creative, and full of ideas. They may believe they can achieve anything and usually need very little sleep. Many patients see sleep as unnecessary and continue being active for long periods without rest.
During a manic episode, thoughts and speech become very fast. Patients may jump from one topic to another so quickly that others cannot follow the conversation. Many activities are started at the same time, but often not completed. People with mania may also become impulsive and lose their normal inhibitions. Excessive spending, risky sexual behavior, or unrealistic business plans can occur, often far beyond the person’s financial or personal limits.
Although the mood may appear cheerful at first, it can quickly change into irritability, especially when others disagree with them. In severe cases, people may lose contact with reality, hear voices, or see things that are not real. Many patients do not recognize that they are ill and may require psychiatric treatment during the acute phase.
Symptoms of Hypomania in BD
Hypomania is a milder form of mania seen in bipolar disorder. During a hypomanic episode, people experience an unusually elevated or irritable mood together with increased energy and activity. This state lasts for at least four days and is noticeable most of the day. Patients may feel more productive, confident, talkative, or creative than usual. They often sleep less and become more active socially or professionally.
The change in mood and behavior is clearly different from the person’s normal functioning and can usually be noticed by family members or colleagues. However, unlike full mania, hypomania does not cause severe impairment in daily life and usually does not require hospitalization. People generally remain in contact with reality and do not experience psychotic symptoms. The symptoms are also not caused by drugs, medication, or other medical conditions.
Symptoms of Depression in Bipolar Disorder
Depression in bipolar disorder is characterized by a persistent low mood and deep sadness. People often feel emotionally numb, hopeless, anxious, and pessimistic about the future. Thinking, speaking, and daily activities become slower, while even small tasks may feel exhausting. Many patients withdraw from family and friends and lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
A lack of motivation, reduced energy, physical exhaustion, and loss of sexual interest are also common. Concentration and attention are often impaired, making work or studying difficult. Sleep problems frequently occur, including early morning waking, unrefreshing sleep, or an increased need for sleep. Many patients experience strong self-doubt, feelings of guilt, and worthlessness. In severe depressive episodes, thoughts about death or suicide may appear and require urgent psychiatric support.
Also, those with bipolar disorder are, on average, younger (around 16 to 18 years old) when they first experience depression. About one-fifth of patients diagnosed with “unipolar depression” will go through a manic episode in the following years, meeting the criteria for bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of Mixed Episode in BD
A mixed episode of bipolar disorder is characterized by the coexistence of manic and depressive symptoms. The patient experiencing a mixed episode might be hyperactive, being unable to sleep or concentrate, and feeling at the same time anxious and depressed. This combination of high energy and low mood increases the risk of suicide.
Mixed bipolar episodes can resemble ADD or ADHD. Although BD II is a fully recognized diagnostic entity, it is less reliably diagnosed than Bipolar I. The main reason is that the symptoms are less obvious than those of Bipolar I Disorder.
Early Signs of Bipolar Disorder
Some signs suggest a bipolar disorder: In bipolar depression, patients more often experience energy loss, an increased need for sleep, and increased appetite compared to unipolar depression. Furthermore, those with bipolar disorder are, on average, younger (around 16 to 18 years old) when they first experience depression. About one-fifth of patients diagnosed with “unipolar depression” will go through a manic episode in the following years, meeting the criteria for bipolar disorder.
What Is Rapid Cycling in Bipolar Disorder?
The course of bipolar disorder with four or more episodes within 12 months is called rapid cycling. The other criteria for the diagnosis of rapid cycling is the demarcation between the episodes, either by a period of remission or a switch to the opposite polarity. Mood switches in rapid cycling can last from days to months.
Rapid cycling is more commonly observed in women. Furthermore, women tend to have a higher frequency of depressive and mixed episodes compared to men. Interestingly, men often have their initial encounter with bipolar disorder during a manic state, whereas women tend to experience their first episode in a depressive state.
Bipolar I versus Bipolar II Disorder
The current psychiatric diagnostic manuals, ICD 10 and DSM V, describe two types of bipolar disorder, Bipolar Disorder I and II.
While Bipolar I Disorder is easily recognizable because of unreasonable actions and irrational behaviour, Bipolar II can remain undetected.
In Bipolar II Disorder, the symptoms are milder. The patients may even enjoy such phases due to elevated mood and energy, which make them more productive. Typical for hypomania in BP II is a shortened sleep cycle with no daytime fatigue.
The main therapeutic obstacle, especially in the treatment for bipolar disorder, lies in convincing the patient to comply with the recommended approach, particularly the regular intake of prescribed medication. Proper bipolar disorder treatment, including evidence-based medication strategies, is essential for achieving therapeutic success.
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
Untreated bipolar disorder can last for months. Once the disorder is activated, it typically persists, and untreated first episodes rarely remain dormant.
The first step in treating bipolar disorder is getting the correct diagnosis, which requires an extensive patient’s interview, ideally also involving close relatives. For the psychiatrist, it’s important to know not only the current symptoms but also past mood swings and the family history. Early diagnosis is crucial for a positive therapy outcome.
The fewer episodes a patient has had before starting treatment, the better they usually respond. Early treatment can also prevent the disorder from becoming chronic, which can have serious health and social consequences.
Diagnostic Procedures of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder should be assessed by an experienced psychiatrist. Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be difficult, especially when the illness begins with a depressive episode. At first, it may appear to be a unipolar depression. However, some signs can suggest bipolar disorder. Patients with bipolar depression often experience stronger loss of energy, increased need for sleep, and increased appetite. The first depressive episode also frequently occurs at a younger age, often during adolescence or early adulthood.
On the other hand, the patient and his family may overlook hypomania symptoms. If depression appears first in the course of the illness, it’s unclear whether it is unipolar (“one-sided”) or bipolar depression. On the other side, symptoms of hypomania can also be overlooked by the patient and his family.
An in-depth investigation is also important because bipolar disorder can resemble other serious psychiatric conditions. Diagnoses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, ADHD, or depression can be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Steps in Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
Clinical interview
The diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires a detailed psychiatric and medical assessment starting with an extensive interview with the patient and, if possible, with family members. This is important because many patients do not fully recognize past hypomanic episodes or changes in mood and behavior.
Physical Examination
In bipolar disorder, a physical examination is not used to directly diagnose the illness. Bipolar disorder is mainly diagnosed through psychiatric assessment and the patient’s symptoms. However, a medical check-up is very important to rule out physical illnesses that can cause mood changes and to make sure that psychiatric medication can be used safely.
The examination helps doctors exclude medical conditions that may look similar to bipolar disorder, such as thyroid problems or neurological diseases. It also provides important baseline values before starting treatment.
Blood Pressure, Pulse, and Weight
Doctors usually begin with a general health check. Blood pressure and pulse are measured because some psychiatric medications can affect the heart and circulation.
Weight and body mass index (BMI) are also recorded. Certain mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications may increase appetite and lead to weight gain.
Neurological Examination
Doctors may test reflexes, coordination, walking, and muscle control. This helps rule out neurological illnesses that can sometimes cause psychiatric symptoms.
Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or early dementia may sometimes imitate mood disorders.
Blood and Urine Tests
Thyroid Hormones
Blood tests for thyroid hormones, including TSH, fT3, and fT4, are very important. Thyroid imbalance can cause mood swings that resemble bipolar disorder.
Liver and Kidney Function
Liver and kidney tests are necessary before starting medications such as lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine. These medications are processed through the liver or kidneys and require regular monitoring.
Additional Diagnostic Tests
Those tests can help rule out other contributing factors, especially heart problems and physical illnesses such as epilepsy, brain tumors, thyroid disorders, migraines, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease.
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
An ECG checks the heart rhythm. Some psychiatric medications can affect electrical activity in the heart, so doctors may perform this test before starting treatment.
Brain Imaging (MRI or CT Scan)
MRI or CT scans of the brain are usually only needed in special situations, such as a first episode later in life or unusual symptoms. These scans help exclude strokes, tumors, or other structural brain diseases.
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
An EEG records brain activity and may be used to rule out epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy, which can sometimes cause strong mood changes.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder has two poles, with mood swinging between mania and depression. Untreated bipolar disorder usually leads to more frequent and more severe episodes than when the illness first appeared. In the worst-case scenario, the condition can evolve into rapid cycling.
Since bipolar disorder is a chronic, relapsing illness, it’s important to continue treatment even when the patient feels better. A tailored and effective bipolar disorder treatment requires precise diagnostics, differentiated medication plans, ongoing psychiatric supervision, and psychotherapeutic support.
Modern treatment methods can effectively manage symptoms and significantly improve the course of the condition. However, it is not currently possible to eliminate the underlying causes of the disorder.
This means that bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. Only when patients and their families understand this can therapy be maintained effectively over the long term, leading to a substantial improvement in quality of life.
The treatment of bipolar disorder is guided by different objectives depending on the phase of the illness the individual is experiencing.
When Hospitalization for Bipolar Disorder Is Necessary?
Hospital treatment for bipolar disorder may become necessary during severe manic, depressive, or mixed episodes. The main goal of the hospital stay is to prevent a risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, extreme exhaustion, or dangerous behavior during a manic episode.
During a manic episode, patients are often in denial about their condition and have no ability to gain insight. The only way to stabilize patients during acute mania is to use medication. In most of such cases, the psychiatrist must initially hospitalize the patient.
Treatment in the hospital usually includes medication adjustment, crisis support, and psychotherapy. In most cases, the stay lasts between three and eight weeks.
Medication is usually the most important part of treatment in the hospital. Doctors may use mood stabilizers, as well as antipsychotics and, in case of severe bipolar depression, antidepressants. The aim is to reduce manic excitement, improve depression, and prevent further mood swings.
Psychotherapy is another important part of treatment. In individual and group therapy sessions, often based on cognitive behavioral therapy.
Many hospitals also offer supportive therapies such as art therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, or movement therapy. These methods can help patients regulate emotions, reconnect with their body, and slowly return to everyday functioning.
Treatment in the Acute Phase of Bipolar Disorder
Acute treatment begins as soon as an active episode of the illness occurs. It continues until the acute symptoms have significantly improved. Depending on the severity and nature of the symptoms, various medications and non-pharmacological treatment approaches may be used.
Treatment of Mania
The term “mania” describes a state of extreme euphoria, unjustified optimism, and hyperactivity. Both mania and hypomania are combined with increased speed of thinking and talking as well as increased motor activities. The patient may stay awake for several nights without feeling tired. His sexual drive can be increased, and the inhibition (conscious control of his actions) decreased. His judgment will always be impaired.
Some of the patients will develop delusions and sometimes even hallucinations. Delusions are irrational thoughts; in mania, this is usually the delusion of grandeur. The existence of delusional (psychotic) symptoms can be confusing and lead to misdiagnosis of schizophrenia.
Treatment of mania requires hospitalization. In Dubai, Al Amal Hospital and the Psychiatric Department of Rashid Hospital can accommodate patients in acute manic states. The hospitalization is needed due to the patient’s irrational, sometimes aggressive behaviour. In the hospital, the medication can be adjusted instantly depending on the symptoms.
Treatment of Hypomania
A hypomanic episode is different from full mania. Its symptoms are less severe. The person can experience such a state as being very productive, being optimistic, and feeling happy. The hypomania doesn’t include psychotic symptoms (i.e., delusions), and the patient is able to keep some level of control.
Under the condition of the close support of the patient’s family, our CHMC Clinic in Dubai can treat hypomanic patients in an outpatient setting. The patients can stay at home under the supervision of their families, visiting our clinic more frequently until their full stabilization.
Treatment of Bipolar Depression
In the past, bipolar depression was not differentiated from regular depression. The results of research suggest that there are significant differences between the two. For example, certain symptoms are more common in bipolar depression than in regular depression. Bipolar depression is more likely to involve irritability, unpredictable mood swings, and feelings of restlessness.
The patients suffering from bipolar depression are more likely to develop psychotic symptoms with delusional thoughts and/or delusions. The depressive phase of bipolar disorder can also be more severe, including the risk of suicide. In fact, people suffering from bipolar disorder are more likely to attempt suicide than those suffering from regular depression. Furthermore, their suicide attempts tend to be more lethal.
In cases of severe depression with suicidal tendencies, the patient should be admitted to the psychiatric hospital in Dubai (Al Amal or Rashid Hospital). In less severe cases, we can treat the patient in an outpatient setting at CHMC in Dubai.
Maintenance Therapy
Maintenance therapy follows the acute treatment phase and aims to stabilize the individual’s condition sufficiently to prevent an immediate relapse.
The goal is to maintain this stable state for at least six to twelve months. To achieve this goal, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is typically used.
Relapse Prevention
Patients suffering from BP, which is a lifelong and recurrent illness, need long-term treatment to maintain control of symptoms. Therefore, psychiatrists should closely monitor the mental health of their patients and adjust medication accordingly. Psychologists should address their patients’ concerns openly, thereby improving their insight and coping skills.
Relapse prevention begins once the individual’s mood has returned to a normal and stable level. Its purpose is to reduce the long-term risk of future acute episodes.
The duration of relapse prevention depends on the number of previous episodes. If a person has experienced three or more episodes within a five-year period, long-term maintenance treatment with medication is generally recommended to help prevent further episodes.
The main therapeutic obstacle in the treatment of bipolar disorder lies in convincing the patient to comply with the recommended therapy, particularly the regular intake of prescribed medication.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder with Medication
Some people believe that bipolar disorder can be healed with psychotherapy. The question that arises, though, is how a person can benefit from psychotherapy (counselling/talk therapy) if they are in a state of confusion, are irrational, and possibly aggressive.
During a manic episode, patients are often in denial about their condition and have no ability to gain insight. The only way to treat patients during acute mania is to use medication. In most of such cases, the psychiatrist must initially hospitalize the patient. After the patient is discharged from the hospital, the psychiatrist can continue the treatment in an outpatient setting. The treatment providers should not add psychotherapy until the patient gains psychological stability. At that point, the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best treatment for individuals with bipolar disorder.
The medication treatment of bipolar disorder is one of the biggest challenges in the field of psychiatry. The patient with bipolar disorder can be compared with someone balancing on a tightrope between mania and depression. Adding too much weight on one side can lead to a collapse. Effective treatment of bipolar disorder requires profound knowledge, experience, and dedication from the psychiatrist and psychologist involved in the process. A large percentage of patients suffering from bipolar disorder need lifelong treatment.
Treatment with Medication of Manic Phase in BD
During the manic phase, the patient’s irrational behaviour can severely affect his social and economic status. The patient can overspend, buying useless but expensive items, gambling, or even donating money, which can end in a financial catastrophe or even total impoverishment. In the manic state, the person’s “moral brakes” are out of control. This can lead to oversexualized or aggressive behaviour, causing irreparable damage to him and his family. Therefore, in most of the cases, the patients require hospitalization. The medication used in the acute phase must be administered quickly and in sufficient dosage. The most frequent medication used in the acute phase is a combination of atypical antipsychotics (Quetiapine, Olanzapine, and Risperidone) and a mood stabilizer, preferably Valproic acid.
Treatment with Medication of Bipolar Depression
In the depressive phase, the problems are different. The patient suffers from lack of energy, low mood, sleeplessness, and often develops suicidal ideation. Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are far more common than mania and have a more detrimental effect on patient’s lives.
In some patients, mood stabilizers may be sufficient to modulate the depressed mood. However, the standard treatment for bipolar depression is the combination of an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer. The mood-stabilizing medication improves mood, social interactions, and the patient’s level of functioning. The sole use of antidepressants in bipolar depression carries the risk of transitioning into a hypomanic or manic phase. The mood stabilizer of choice in the treatment of bipolar depression is lithium because of its antisuicidal properties.
Only one of the atypical antipsychotics, Quetiapine, is worth mentioning, as it can achieve good antidepressant effects at doses of 300-600 mg in bipolar depression.
Medication Prophylaxis for Bipolar Disorder
For the prophylaxis phase, it is recommended to continue prescribing the substances that have successfully stabilized the patient during the maintenance phase. At this stage of the illness, the patient typically feels much better or is even symptom-free, which often leads to a decrease in motivation to take daily medication. It is important to emphasize to the patient that discontinuing the medication causes a significant risk of relapse.
Psychotherapy in Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
The treatment for bipolar disorder, once primarily managed with medication, evolved to a more complex, comprehensive approach involving a combination of medication and psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions. However, psychotherapy alone can’t cure bipolar disorder. For instance, manic patients need medication since they lack insight and act irrationally. The same counts for severe depressive phases. The pharmacological intervention is necessary, especially in suicidal patients. Even during stable periods, relapses are highly probable.
The essential part of the treatment with psychotherapy is therapy during the stable phases of BD.
Prognosis of Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Factors suggesting a worse prognosis include such attributes as poor job history, alcohol abuse, psychotic features, depressive features between periods of mania and depression, male sex, poor general health condition, inconsistent psychiatric treatment, or no treatment at all.
Factors correlating with the positive outcome of the treatment are the short duration of the episodes, late age of onset, few psychotic symptoms, good general health, and consistent psychiatric monitoring.
The prerequisite for successful treatment of bipolar disorder without relapses is the consistent psychiatric monitoring by experienced psychiatrists.
Read More About Bipolar Disorder
- Psychiatrist in Dubai for Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- Medication for Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder
- Family Support in Bipolar Disorder
- Causes of Bipolar Disorder
- What is Mania and Hypomania?
- Cyclothymic Disorder
- History of Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- CANMAT Guidelines of Bipolar Disorder Treatment with Medication
- Mood Stabilizers in Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- Treatment with Lithium of Bipolar Disorder
FAQ about Bipolar Disorder
In the below Frequently Asked Questions section, we provide the answers to the most common concerns of our patients about bipolar disorder.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that causes changes in a person’s mood, energy, and functioning. People with bipolar disorder alternate between intense and conflicting emotional states. These mood swings are classified as manic or hypomanic (abnormally happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood), with periods of neutral mood in between. The mood swings called mood episodes can last weeks to months. One of such extremes is depressed mood, also called bipolar depression; the other is mania or hypomania.
Under the condition of a proper diagnosis and professional treatment, people with bipolar disorder can be stabilized on the “baseline” mood level, allowing them to live a normal life without limitations.
What are the types of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder presents in various forms, including Bipolar I Disorder, which entails manic episodes lasting at least seven days or those requiring immediate medical attention due to their severity. Bipolar II Disorder involves depressive and hypomanic episodes but lacks full-blown mania. Additionally, Cyclothymic Disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder, characterized by less severe mood swings.
What is rapid cycling?
Rapid cycling is not a type of bipolar disorder but is a term used to describe the course of illness in people with bipolar I or II disorder. In rapid cycling, the mood episodes occur four or more times in a year. Women are more likely to experience rapid cycling than men.
Are Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar Depression the same?
No, bipolar disorder and bipolar depression are not the same. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition distinguished by drastic mood swings, encompassing episodes of mania or hypomania as well as periods of depression. Bipolar depression specifically refers to the depressive episodes experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder. While bipolar depression is a component of bipolar disorder, the disorder includes both depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes.
How do you recognize the normal mood fluctuation from bipolar episodes?
Even people without bipolar disorder have mood swings. However, these mood swings usually last for hours, at most a few days, instead of weeks or months. Moreover, the “normal” mood swings are usually triggered by external circumstances, and they are not accompanied by an extreme degree of behavioural changes. During the mood swings, people without bipolar are still fully functional. On the contrary, a person affected by bipolar disorder exhibits, during depressive or manic episodes, difficulties in daily living and social interactions. Depressive as well as manic episodes can disrupt relationships, creating severe social and professional consequences.
What Bipolar Disorder feels like?
Bipolar disorder can feel like experiencing intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). During manic episodes, individuals may feel euphoric, have racing thoughts, and engage in risky behaviours. During depressive episodes, they may feel hopeless, sad, and lack energy or motivation. These mood swings can disrupt daily life and relationships.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can vary but typically include periods of unusually intense emotional states, extreme changes in activity levels, and shifts in energy, concentration, sleep patterns, and self-esteem.
Who can develop bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder can affect people of any age, ethnicity, or gender. However, it typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood and is usually diagnosed in late teens or early twenties. The genetic predisposition doesn’t result by default in the onset of bipolar disorder. Environmental factors such as stress, sleep disturbances, drugs, and alcohol can provoke the onset of the illness in at-risk individuals.
Despite a high genetic predisposition, people can manage to avoid the onset of bipolar disorder by avoiding stressful events, creating a proper work-life balance, and avoiding drugs and alcohol. On the other side, people with no genetic predisposition but being exposed to traumatising life circumstances, physical illnesses, or the usage of drugs and alcohol are at high risk of developing the illness.
How do you diagnose bipolar disorder?
People with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed, changing therapists frequently along with the medication. Sometimes they are luckier and will get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be secured by an experienced psychiatrist. Recognizing bipolar disorder II or cyclothymia is more difficult due to the less pronounced symptoms.
What causes bipolar disorder?
The exact causes of bipolar disorder are unknown, but it’s believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters may also play a role.
What are the complications of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder can lead to various complications, including problems with relationships, work, and school; substance abuse; legal or financial issues; and suicidal thoughts or behaviours. It’s essential for individuals with bipolar disorder to seek treatment and support to manage their condition effectively.
Where Does Bipolar Disorder Affect the Brain?
Bipolar disorder affects various regions of the brain involved in mood regulation, emotion processing, and thinking. These include the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and areas of the limbic system. Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine also play a role in the development and manifestation of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment at CHMC in Dubai
In the case of a severe phase of bipolar disorder, the patient can be treated for the manic phase or severe bipolar depression at one of the psychiatric hospitals in Dubai.
Patients with hypomania or moderate bipolar depression can get help at CHMC, our German Clinic for Psychiatry in Dubai.
Our team at CHMC follows international clinical standards, combining compassionate care with structured therapeutic interventions. Our leading German board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Kowal, provides close psychiatric monitoring and individualized treatment for bipolar disorder, customized to meet the individual’s unique needs.
At CHMC, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us for professional help of bipolar disorder at one ouf our locations, in DHCC or JLT
