Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes major shifts in mood, energy, sleep, activity and judgment. People with bipolar disorder have periods of mania or hypomania (unusually high or irritable mood) and, for most, episodes of depression. These changes can strain relationships, work and daily life, but with the right treatment most people achieve long term stability.
At Paramount Healthcare Services in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Chidiogo Nwokike, DNP, PMHNP-BC, provides personalized bipolar disorder evaluation, medication management and ongoing care for teens and adults, in our office or by telehealth.
Signs of mania or hypomania:
Signs of a depressive episode:
Some people have mixed features, with symptoms of mania and depression at the same time. Severe mania can also include psychosis, such as hallucinations or false beliefs, which needs urgent care.
Some people experience rapid cycling, meaning four or more mood episodes within a year.
Bipolar disorder does not have a single cause. Research points to a mix of:
Diagnosis is based on a complete psychiatric evaluation. Your provider will review your current symptoms and full mood history, sleep patterns, family history of mood disorders, medical conditions, current medications and alcohol or substance use. With your permission, input from a family member can help, since mania is sometimes easier for others to notice.
We may use screening questionnaires and recommend mood charting to track patterns over time. Lab work, such as thyroid testing, can help rule out medical causes. Because many people with bipolar disorder first seek help during a depressive episode, it is often misdiagnosed as depression, which is why a careful history matters.
Bipolar disorder is a long term condition, and treatment focuses on stabilizing current symptoms, preventing future episodes and helping you live the life you want. Most people do best with a combination of medication, psychotherapy and healthy routines.
Medication is the foundation of bipolar treatment for most people. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may discuss:
Some medications require regular blood tests, such as lithium levels and kidney and thyroid checks, along with monitoring of weight, blood sugar and cholesterol. We schedule follow up visits to track mood, side effects and lab results and to adjust your plan.
Therapy helps you understand mood changes, recognize early warning signs and build skills to stay well. Helpful approaches include psychoeducation about the illness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), which focuses on stable daily routines and sleep, and family focused therapy to improve communication and support at home.
Many people with bipolar disorder live full, productive lives. Habits that support stability include keeping a regular sleep schedule, tracking your mood, taking medication as prescribed, limiting alcohol and avoiding drugs, managing stress and staying connected with supportive people. Working with your provider on a written plan for early warning signs, such as sleeping less or feeling unusually energized, can help you act before an episode becomes severe.
Bipolar disorder often begins in the late teens or early twenties, but it can start earlier. In teens, mood episodes may look like extreme irritability, sudden changes in sleep or energy, risky behavior or a sharp drop in school performance. Because severe irritability in children can have other causes, such as DMDD or ADHD, a careful evaluation is important. We provide care for teens and adults and involve families when it helps.
Paramount Healthcare Services is an outpatient psychiatric clinic at 1705 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104. We care for patients from across the Las Vegas Valley, including Henderson, Summerlin and North Las Vegas, and offer secure telehealth for patients in Nevada, which makes regular follow up easier to keep. Las Vegas life, with late nights, shift work and a 24 hour schedule, can disrupt sleep, so we pay special attention to routines that protect your mood.
We accept Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable cash pay options. If symptoms become severe or unsafe, a higher level of care such as inpatient treatment, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) may be needed, and we help guide that decision.
Schedule a confidential bipolar disorder evaluation with Paramount Healthcare Services. Call +1 (702) 514-4057, email support@paramounthcslv.com or book online. Visits are available in our Las Vegas office or by telehealth.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, showing signs of severe mania or psychosis, or having thoughts of self harm, call or text 988 or call 911 right away.
Providing compassionate, professional, and reliable psychiatric care in Las Vegas. We are dedicated to quality mental health services and supporting healthier lives.
