Bipolar Mood Disorder · OPD
The goal is not a good month. It is a stable decade.
Bipolar disorder is an illness of mood regulation in which phases of elevated mood (mania or hypomania) alternate with phases of depression, often with long well periods in between. It is frequently mistaken for an 'anger problem' or treated as plain depression — and antidepressants given alone can make it worse. With the right mood stabiliser and regular follow-up, long-term stability is a realistic expectation rather than a hope.
Manas Neuropsychiatry Hospital · Bhavnagar
Treated properly, most people with bipolar disorder work, marry, raise families and stay well for years.
Symptoms
How it actually shows up.
Manic or high phase
- Unusually elevated, euphoric or irritable mood for days together
- Sleeping only 2–4 hours yet feeling energetic
- Talking rapidly, jumping between ideas, hard to interrupt
- Grand plans, over-spending, impulsive business or property decisions
- Increased religiosity, sexual behaviour or risk-taking
- Irritability and aggression when contradicted
- Belief in special powers or importance in severe mania
Depressive phase
- Deep low mood, hopelessness and guilt
- Sleeping excessively, or waking early unable to sleep again
- Complete loss of interest and energy, unable to attend work
- Slowed thinking and speech
- Suicidal thoughts — the most dangerous phase of the illness
- Craving for sweets and weight gain in some patients
Why it happens
Causes we look for before prescribing.
- A strong genetic component — bipolar disorder often runs in families
- Sleep deprivation, night shifts and long-distance travel as episode triggers
- Cannabis, alcohol and stimulant use, which can precipitate mania
- Antidepressants taken without a mood stabiliser
- Thyroid disease and steroid medication
- The post-partum period, a well-recognised high-risk time
Our treatment approach
What treatment at Manas actually involves.
Getting the diagnosis right
We specifically ask about past high phases, which patients rarely report as a problem. Missing them is the commonest reason bipolar disorder is treated as depression for years.
Mood stabilisers
Lithium, valproate or other agents chosen around your age, pregnancy plans and other illnesses, with the necessary blood-level and kidney, thyroid and liver monitoring built into follow-up.
Treating acute episodes safely
Mania is treated urgently, on an outpatient basis where possible. Severe mania, catatonia or high suicide risk may need brief admission and occasionally modified brief pulse therapy.
See mBPT & rTMSRelapse prevention & mood charting
You and your family learn to recognise your own early warning signs — usually a drop in sleep — so an episode can be intercepted in days rather than weeks.
Family psychoeducation
Families are taught what is illness and what is character, how to handle spending during a high phase, and why medication continues through well periods.
Long-term, low-burden follow-up
Once stable, most patients need a review every 2–3 months. The aim is a normal working and family life, with the illness kept quietly in the background.
Please read this
During a manic phase, large financial decisions should be paused and the patient should not travel or drive alone. During a depressive phase, any talk of suicide is an emergency — call +91 94275 60101.
Frequently asked
Questions we are asked every week.
Treatment begins with one consultation.
OPD Mon – Sat, 9 AM – 8 PM at Kalanala, Bhavnagar. No referral needed. Emergency support 24×7.