Bipolar Disorder Treatment & Mood Stabilization in Rolling Hills Estates
Find stability and balance in your mood with expert psychiatric care and medication management.
Find Stability and Balance in Your Mood
Living with bipolar disorder can feel like riding an emotional roller coaster you can’t control—extreme highs that feel amazing but lead to impulsive decisions, followed by crushing lows that make it hard to function. But with proper treatment, you can achieve mood stability and live a full, productive life.
At Breakthrough Mental Health in Rolling Hills Estates, we provide expert medication management for bipolar disorder, helping you find the right combination of mood stabilizers and other medications to manage both manic and depressive episodes. Led by Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Irine Achuamang, MSN, PMHNP, in collaboration with Dr. Austina B. Cho, MD, our practice serves patients throughout the South Bay area.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by episodes of abnormally elevated mood (mania or hypomania) and episodes of depression. It’s not simply mood swings that everyone experiences—bipolar episodes are more extreme, last longer, and significantly impair functioning.
The condition affects about 2.8% of adults in the United States and typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood, though it can develop at any age. With proper treatment, most people with bipolar disorder can achieve significant mood stability and lead fulfilling lives.
Types Of Bipolar Disorder
Psychiatric medication management is a comprehensive, ongoing partnership between you and your psychiatric provider that goes far beyond simply prescribing a pill. It’s a thoughtful, collaborative process designed to:
Bipolar I Disorder
CCharacterized by at least one full manic episode (lasting 7+ days or requiring hospitalization) with or without depressive episodes. Manic episodes involve extremely elevated mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive or risky behavior, and sometimes psychotic symptoms.
Bipolar II Disorder
Characterized by at least one hypomanic episode (less severe than full mania, lasting 4+ days) and at least one major depressive episode. People with Bipolar II never have full manic episodes but often spend more time in depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Chronic mood instability with numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting at least two years, though symptoms don't meet full criteria for hypomanic or depressive episodes.
Recognizing Manic And Depressive Episodes
Manic/Hypomanic Episode Symptoms
- Abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
- Increased energy and activity levels
- Decreased need for sleep (feeling rested after 2-3 hours)
- Racing thoughts and rapid speech
- Grandiosity or inflated self-esteem
- Impulsive or risky behavior (excessive spending, sexual indiscretions, reckless driving)
- Increased goal-directed activity or agitation
- Distractibility
Depressive Episode Symptoms
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Significant changes in sleep or appetite
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Bipolar Disorder Medication Management
Medication is the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment. Most people need mood stabilizers long-term to prevent both manic and depressive episodes. Treatment typically involves:
Mood Stabilizers
- Lithium: The gold standard mood stabilizer, highly effective for preventing both manic and depressive episodes. Requires regular blood level monitoring to ensure therapeutic levels and safety.
- Valproic Acid (Depakote): Effective mood stabilizer, particularly for rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Requires periodic blood monitoring.
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal): Particularly effective for preventing depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. Must be started at low dose and gradually increased to prevent rare but serious rash.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol): Another mood stabilizer option, particularly for treatment-resistant cases.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Second-generation antipsychotics are increasingly used as mood stabilizers, either alone or in combination:
- Quetiapine (Seroquel), Lurasidone (Latuda), Aripiprazole (Abilify), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Risperidone (Risperdal), and others
These medications can be particularly helpful for acute mania and for preventing future episodes.
Additional Medications
- Antidepressants: Used cautiously with a mood stabilizer for bipolar depression (never alone, as they can trigger mania)
- Anti-anxiety medications: For managing anxiety symptoms often present with bipolar disorder
- Sleep medications: Since sleep disruption can trigger episodes, managing sleep is crucial
Why Choose Breakthrough Mental Health For Bipolar disorder Treatment
Specialized Expertise
Extensive experience in mood stabilization and long-term management of bipolar disorder.
Comprehensive Medication Management
Access to all mood stabilizers and careful monitoring to ensure both effectiveness and safety
Regular Monitoring
Close follow-up during medication initiation and ongoing monitoring to prevent episodes.
Collaborative Care
Partnership with Dr. Austina B. Cho, MD ensures comprehensive psychiatric expertise.
Long-Term Relapse Prevention
Focus on sustained mood stability and preventing future episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder
What's the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?
Bipolar I involves at least one full manic episode (severe, often requiring hospitalization, sometimes with psychotic features), while Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes (less severe, not requiring hospitalization) plus major depressive episodes. Bipolar II is not “less serious”—people with Bipolar II often spend more time depressed and have higher suicide risk. Both require treatment, just with potentially different medication approaches.
Will I need to take medication forever?
Bipolar disorder is typically a lifelong condition requiring ongoing medication management. Most experts recommend staying on mood stabilizers indefinitely after diagnosis, as the risk of episode recurrence is high if medication is stopped. That said, treatment plans are individualized. We’ll work with you to find the lowest effective dose and the medication combination that works best with minimal side effects. The goal is sustained stability and quality of life.
Can bipolar disorder be cured?
Bipolar disorder is not curable, but it is highly treatable. With proper medication management, most people achieve significant mood stability and can live full, productive lives. The key is finding the right medication combination, staying consistent with treatment, and developing awareness of early warning signs of episodes. Many people with bipolar disorder have successful careers, relationships, and families while managing their condition.
Why is lithium monitoring necessary?
Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window—the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. Regular blood tests ensure your lithium level is high enough to prevent episodes but not so high it becomes dangerous. We also monitor kidney and thyroid function since lithium can affect these organs with long-term use. This careful monitoring allows us to use lithium safely and effectively—it remains one of the most effective mood stabilizers available.
What triggers bipolar episodes?
Common triggers include sleep disruption, stress, substance use (especially alcohol and stimulants), stopping medication, seasonal changes, and major life events. Part of bipolar treatment involves identifying your personal triggers and developing strategies to minimize them. Maintaining consistent sleep, taking medication as prescribed, limiting alcohol, and managing stress all help prevent episodes.
Can I work and have a normal life with bipolar disorder?
Absolutely. Many people with well-managed bipolar disorder have successful careers, relationships, and fulfilling lives. The key is finding the right treatment, staying consistent with medication, working with a good psychiatric provider, and potentially engaging in therapy to develop coping skills. With proper treatment, bipolar disorder doesn’t have to define or limit you.
Schedule Your Bipolar Disorder Treatment Consultation
If you’re experiencing mood swings that disrupt your life, or if you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and need expert medication management, we’re here to help. Contact Breakthrough Mental Health today to schedule your evaluation and begin your journey toward mood stability
Serving the South Bay Community
Breakthrough Mental Health provides bipolar disorder treatment and mood stabilization to patients throughout Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, San Pedro, and surrounding South Bay communities.