EKM Psychiatry
Menu

Conditions we treat

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder causes shifts in mood, energy and activity — from periods of depression to periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood (mania or hypomania).

Schedule today Take the questionnaire

What it can look like

  • Periods of unusually high energy or decreased need for sleep
  • Racing thoughts or talking much faster than usual
  • Taking risks or making impulsive decisions
  • Periods of depression
  • Mood changes that affect work, school or relationships

Only a qualified clinician can make a diagnosis. Many of these experiences overlap with other conditions.

How we help

Getting the diagnosis right matters, because treatment for bipolar disorder differs from treatment for depression alone. We take a careful history and work with you on a long-term plan, which usually includes mood-stabilizing medication and regular follow-up.

All care at EKM Psychiatry is delivered by secure telehealth across New York.

Self-check questionnaire

Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

Private: your answers stay on your own device. They are scored in your browser and are never sent to EKM Psychiatry or saved. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.

Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and…

1. …you felt so good or so hyper that other people thought you were not your normal self or you were so hyper that you got into trouble?
2. …you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
3. …you felt much more self-confident than usual?
4. …you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn’t really miss it?
5. …you were much more talkative or spoke faster than usual?
6. …thoughts raced through your head or you couldn’t slow your mind down?
7. …you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?
8. …you had much more energy than usual?
9. …you were much more active or did many more things than usual?
10. …you were much more social or outgoing than usual, for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night?
11. …you were much more interested in sex than usual?
12. …you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky?
13. …spending money got you or your family into trouble?
If you answered yes to more than one of the above, have several of these ever happened during the same period of time?
How much of a problem did any of these cause you — like being unable to work; having family, money or legal troubles; getting into arguments or fights?

MDQ: Hirschfeld RM, et al. Am J Psychiatry 2000;157(11):1873-5. Free for clinical use with attribution. A screening aid only — not a diagnosis.

Ready to begin?

We’re here to help.

Call (518) 703-6840 or send us a secure message to get started.

Schedule today Send us a message

If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.

Other conditions we treat