Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mood disorder that causes extreme swings in mood and energy that can last days or weeks. Manic symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

• Excessive euphoria, or good mood
• Extreme restlessness
• Irritability
• Less need for sleep
• Poor judgment
• Racing thoughts
• Talking very fast

Cycles of depression follow manic episodes, bringing feelings of extreme sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness.

Many people with bipolar disorders have a related disorder, most commonly an anxiety disorder. Anxiety causes overwhelming feelings of worry or fear that aren’t logical or realistic. Anxiety disorders include:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder
• Specific phobia

Stop the cycle with the help of a caring psychiatrist from University of Miami Health System. If you or someone you know think you may be struggling with bipolar or anxiety disorder, contact the Department of Psychiatry at 305-243-0214.

Treatments

Biofeedback and Stress Management
Biofeedback is a non-invasive treatment that trains your mind to control the physical effects of stress or a health condition, including brain activity, blood pressure, muscle tension, body temperature, and more. Biofeedback involves sensors (electrodes) placed on your body, and special therapies taught by a certified biofeedback therapist.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT uses a small amount of electric current that is believed to reverse symptoms of mental disorders. The current, delivered through sensors (electrodes) on the scalp, causes brief, controlled seizures that change brain chemistry. ECT requires six to 12 treatments, performed in an outpatient setting under general anesthesia.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, explores how a health condition affects your thoughts, emotions, behavior, and mood, and how to cope. There are many forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to change your thinking or behavior, and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) to improve your relationships. Psychotherapy is offered in groups or individually.

Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology is the study of the use of medications in treating mental health disorders. Psychiatrists prescribe medications to improve symptoms of mental health disorders. Common medications include one, or a combination of, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-psychotic drugs, anti-anxiety medicines, and stimulants. Our psychiatrists study these medicines to understand how they work and affect the body, and skillfully apply this knowledge in their daily practice.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
This non-invasive form of brain stimulation treats depression and anxiety that does not respond well to medicines or psychotherapy (talk therapy). It involves a head coil that delivers magnetic pulses to brain cells. These pulses change specific areas in the brain responsible for mood, memory, addiction, and more. rTMS is performed without anesthesia, in daily outpatient sessions for four to six weeks.

Why Choose UHealth?

Advanced therapies for bipolar disorder. We offer the latest brain stimulation therapies for depression, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Our practitioners are expertly trained in administering these therapies.

Special programs for OCD and other anxiety disorders. We have special teams with expertise in obsessive-compulsive disorders and other anxiety disorders. You receive care from providers who understand every aspect of your condition, and the compassion to help you get better.

Pioneering new treatments and researching co-existing disorders. You can trust you’re getting the most advanced care because we’re researching new therapies for refractory (hard to treat) bipolar depression, including stem cell therapy. We’re also studying bipolar disorder with co-existing alcohol use disorder.