Regarded as a serious mental health condition, bipolar disorder causes severe changes in a person’s mood, energy and activity levels that can make day-to-day functioning difficult. Formerly known as manic depression or manic-depressive disorder, the condition causes serious shifts in mood, thinking, behavior and energy levels – from the highs of mania on one extreme to the lows of depression on the other. When compared to ordinary mood swings, the mood changes associated with this condition are so intense that they can drastically interfere with an individual’s job or performance, create problems with relationships and disrupt their ability to function in daily life. The cycles of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year and at times last for days, weeks, or months. Although, bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, people can effectively manage the mood swings and other symptoms by correctly following a treatment plan. Treatment for this mental disorder involves a combination of medications and psychological counseling. With timely treatment and support, people can live a full and productive life. Documenting this psychiatric condition to ensure correct billing and coding can be challenging. Outsourcing medical billing services can help healthcare providers save time and submit accurate claims for optimal reimbursement. Show According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), bipolar disorder affects over 10 million people in the United States or around 2.8% of the population. The condition affects males and females equally. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but factors like biological differences, periods of high stress, traumatic experiences and genetics may play a prominent role. If left untreated, the condition can result in serious problems like poor work performance, problems related to drug and alcohol abuse, damaged relationships and suicidal attempts that may affect every single area of your life. Types of Bipolar Disorder There are three main types of bipolar disorder –
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder can occur at any age, and symptoms can appear during the teenage years or later in life. According to the International Bipolar Association, symptoms vary between individuals. For some people, an episode can last for several months or years. For others, people may experience “highs” and “lows” at the same time or in quick succession or will have four or more episodes within a year. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be divided into three stages namely – manic episode, hypomanic episode, depressive stage and psychosis stage. Hypomania and mania are elevated moods wherein mania is more intense than hypomania. Symptoms include during these elevated mood stages include –
Symptoms of depressive stage include –
In severe cases, the patient may think about ending his /her life, and may act on those suicidal thoughts. In psychosis stage, people may have trouble differentiating between fantasy and reality. As per the International Bipolar Foundation, psychosis symptoms include – hallucinations, which involve hearing or seeing things that are not there and delusions, which are false but strongly felt beliefs. However, it is possible to manage all these symptoms with appropriate treatment. Diagnosing and Treating Bipolar Disorders Diagnosis of Bipolar disorders will be performed by a psychiatrist by comparing the symptoms using the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that in order to receive a proper diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, a person must have experienced symptoms for at least 7 days, or less if symptoms were severe enough to need hospitalization. In addition, patients also need to have a depressive episode lasting at least 2 weeks. To receive a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder II, a person needs to have experienced at least one cycle of hypomania and depression. Diagnostic evaluation may begin with a detailed physical examination and lab tests like blood and urine tests to identify other medical problems that can be causing your symptoms. A detailed psychiatric assessment will be done wherein psychiatrists will talk with patients about their thoughts, feelings and notice their behavioral patterns. Patients will also be asked to fill out a psychological self-assessment or questionnaire. In addition, psychiatrists may ask family members or close friends about the patient’s symptoms. Patients will also be asked to maintain a clear, daily record of their moods, sleep patterns or other factors that could help with diagnosis and finding the right treatment. A group of specialists comprising of psychologist, social worker and psychiatric nurse will help in treatment of bipolar and other related disorders. Treatment modalities aim to stabilize the person’s mood and reduce the severity of symptoms. The main goal is to help the person function effectively in daily life. A combination of medications, psychotherapy, psycho education and other support therapies will be done as part of the treatment. Medications include – Mood stabilizers, Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Antidepressant-antipsychotic and Anti-anxiety medications. The types and dosages of medications will be prescribed based on specific symptoms. Psychotherapy treatment comprises – Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family focused therapy. In addition, other treatment options like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be added as part of depression therapy. When documenting Bipolar disorders, psychiatrists and other mental health specialists must include the diagnosis screening tests and other treatment procedures performed using the correct medical codes. Medical billing services provided by reputable medical billing companies can help physicians use the correct codes for their billing purposes. ICD- 10 codes for bipolar disorders include –
Even though there is no definite way to prevent bipolar disorders, undergoing the right treatment at an early stage can help prevent the condition from worsening. By following certain lifestyle strategies, people diagnosed with this disorder can prevent minor symptoms from becoming full-blown episodes of mania or depression. These strategies include – maintaining a regular routine, avoiding alcohol or drugs, paying attention to warning signs, establishing a regular sleep pattern, taking steps to prevent sleep disturbance and taking medications as prescribed by the psychiatrists. Psychiatry medical billing and coding can be challenging and therefore requires a clear understanding about the highly specific medical codes. Physicians can rely on the services of a reliable billing and coding company to submit claims for optimal reimbursement. What is bipolar disorder current episode depressed?Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities.
What is bipolar disorder current episode manic without psychotic features?1 Mania without psychotic symptoms. Mood is elevated out of keeping with the patient's circumstances and may vary from carefree joviality to almost uncontrollable excitement. Elation is accompanied by increased energy, resulting in overactivity, pressure of speech, and a decreased need for sleep.
Can you still be depressed during a manic episode?Signs and symptoms of a mixed episode
The symptoms of a mixed episode include both manic and depressive symptoms together. During a mixed episode, you have the negative feelings and thoughts that come with depression but also feel agitated, restless and high energy.
Can someone be bipolar and not have extreme manic episodes?A person may have bipolar disorder even if their symptoms are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar II disorder experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic episode, a person may feel very good, be able to get things done, and keep up with day-to-day life.
|