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Bipolar Disorder Specialist

Dr. Messina & Associates -  - Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Messina & Associates

Clinical Psychologists & Psychiatrists located in Southlake, TX & Flower Mound, TX

Bipolar disorder often appears in a person's teens and early 20s, but it can occur at any age. No matter when your bipolar symptoms develop, it’s a lifelong disorder that needs ongoing management. Clinical psychologists work with many patients who have bipolar disorder, effectively improving their symptoms and their quality of life with medication and psychotherapy at Dr. Messina & Associates in Southlake, Texas, and Flower Mound, Texas. To schedule an appointment, use online booking or call the office today.

Bipolar Disorder Q & A

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder was formerly known as manic-depressive disorder because mania and depression are the two key symptoms. There are different types of bipolar disorder, however, with varying degrees of mania and depression.

The types of symptoms cause changes in mood, activity level, and energy. Most patients cycle between them with periods of normal mood between bipolar episodes.

The three main types of bipolar disorder are:

Bipolar I disorder

Patients with bipolar I disorder have had at least one major episode of mania that was severe enough to interfere with daily activities. They may also experience major depression or have mixed features, which means having mania and depression at the same time.

Bipolar II disorder

This type of bipolar disorder is defined as having at least one episode of major depression and at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomania causes the same symptoms as full-blown mania, but they’re less severe and usually don’t affect daily life.

Cyclothymic disorder

If you have cyclothymic disorder, you frequently and constantly swing between hypomania and depression. Although you may have more episodes than the other types of bipolar disorder, your symptoms are milder.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

In many cases, patients experience depression before they have their first manic episode. The symptoms of both include:

Depressive episodes

  • Feeling sad, down, or hopeless
  • Having little to no energy
  • Decreasing activity levels
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Increasingly worried or anxious
  • Finding it hard to concentrate
  • Eating too much or too little
  • Thinking about death or suicide

Manic episodes

  • Feeling up with an exaggerated sense of self-esteem
  • Having excessive energy
  • Increasing activity levels
  • Finding it hard to sleep
  • Talking too fast (pressured speech)
  • Feeling agitated or irritable
  • Experiencing racing thoughts
  • Engaging in risky behaviors (spending too much money, reckless sex)


While mania is noticeable for its extreme energy levels and excessive behaviors, hypomania is hard to recognize. In many cases, the increased energy of hypomania may seem good because it makes you more productive, yet it’s not so extreme that it leads to problems.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Dr. Messina & Associates offers a variety of treatments for bipolar disorder, which usually includes medications to balance your moods, as well as psychotherapy. 

Our psychiatrists work closely with each patient, prescribing the best medications for their symptoms, and monitoring their ongoing health.

If you have questions about your behavior and whether it could be bipolar disorder, call the office of Dr. Messina & Associates or book an appointment online.

Offering exceptional care for anxiety and depression.
Call us to book your appointment today. 

Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dr. Messina & Associates, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychological Testing Dr. Messina & Associates, Psychological Testing

Psychological Testing

Online Counseling Dr. Messina & Associates, Online Counseling

Online Counseling

In-Person Counseling Dr. Messina & Associates, In-Person Counseling

In-Person Counseling

Psychiatry Dr. Messina & Associates, Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Telepsychiatry Dr. Messina & Associates, Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry

Psychiatric Medication Management Dr. Messina & Associates, Psychiatric Medication management

Psychiatric Medication Management

Anxiety Dr. Messina & Associates, Anxiety

Anxiety

Depression Dr. Messina & Associates, Depression

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Dr. Messina & Associates, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Dr. Messina & Associates, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Dr. Messina & Associates, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Dr. Messina & Associates, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Insomnia Dr. Messina & Associates, Insomnia

Insomnia

Panic Disorder Dr. Messina & Associates, Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder

Social Anxiety Dr. Messina & Associates, Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety

PTSD Dr. Messina & Associates, PTSD

PTSD

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Dr. Messina & Associates, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Separation Anxiety Dr. Messina & Associates, Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety

Bipolar Disorder Dr. Messina & Associates, Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Mental Health Services Dr. Messina & Associates, Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services