Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder can involve depression and noticeable shifts in energy, sleep, activity, judgment, or behavior.
Most appointments are provided by secure video for patients located in California.
Reasons people seek help
- Recurring depressive episodes
- Periods of much less sleep without feeling tired
- Unusually increased energy, activity, or talkativeness
- Racing thoughts, irritability, or impulsive decisions
- Changes that affect work, school, finances, or relationships
- Past diagnoses or medication responses that do not fully explain the pattern
What a bipolar-disorder evaluation may involve
Dr. Yang reviews current symptoms, past mood episodes, sleep and energy patterns, changes in activity and judgment, prior treatment and medication responses, medical history, substance use, functioning, and your goals.
The sequence, duration, and severity of episodes matter. With your permission, prior records or observations from someone you trust may add context; a clear diagnosis may require more than one visit.
How bipolar-disorder care may be approached
Medication is often an important part of outpatient bipolar care. Dr. Yang reviews prior experiences and explains possible benefits, limitations, side effects, and alternatives before you decide together.
Psychotherapy may also be incorporated when appropriate to recognize recurring patterns and understand how stress and sleep affect mood. Treatment decisions consider the longer-term pattern of mood, sleep, energy, and functioning.
When another setting may be needed
Rapidly escalating mood or behavior changes, severe confusion, markedly reduced sleep with worsening judgment, inability to meet basic needs, or urgent safety concerns may require emergency evaluation or a higher level of care. More intensive monitoring may also be needed when symptoms are changing quickly.
Common questions about bipolar disorder treatment
How is bipolar disorder different from ordinary mood changes?
The evaluation looks for distinct episodes involving mood, energy, sleep, activity, and functioning over time—not simply good and bad days. Duration, intensity, and consequences all matter.
Why can bipolar disorder take more than one visit to diagnose?
The most important clues often come from a long-term timeline. Depression, anxiety, trauma, medical conditions, substance effects, and disrupted sleep can overlap with parts of the picture.
Helpful before scheduling
You don’t have to figure out the next step alone.
If mood, sleep, or energy shifts feel hard to manage, an evaluation can help.