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Athena Care
Bipolar Disorder Testing and Assessment in Memphis, Tennessee

Bipolar Disorder Testing and Assessment in Memphis, Tennessee

Athena Care Memphis, Tennessee

Bipolar disorder can make life challenging, but we can help. Athena Care Memphis provides comprehensive assessment and treatment services for bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders in a caring and professional environment. Unlike many other mental health clinics, we are in-network with most commercial insurance plans.

In addition to providing bipolar assessments, Athena Care also offers a full range of mental health services for children, adolescents and adults. These services include therapy, medication management, intensive outpatient programs, ADHD assessment, Spravato (esketamine), and TMS.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder (formerly known as Manic Depression) is a condition that causes extreme mood changes from emotional highs (mania or hypomania) to emotional lows (depression), mixed with periods of emotional stability. You may feel “on top of the world,” full of energy or unusually irritable for several days or longer and then feel depressed for a longer period of time.

Bipolar depression often looks similar to a unipolar depressive episode (i.e., Major Depressive Disorder). In fact, it often looks so similar that only 20% of people with Bipolar Disorder get correctly diagnosed within the first year of seeking treatment1.

It’s during the manic phases of Bipolar Disorder that the two disorders become clearly distinct. When you’re in a manic episode, your judgment, behavior and ability to think clearly can change drastically. During these periods, it’s common to engage in risky behaviors that get you into trouble, such as spending money you don’t have, engaging in risky sexual behaviors, or driving recklessly.

The frequency of bipolar episodes can be unpredictable; you may experience episodes rarely or multiple times a year. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, treatment can improve your symptoms and help you take care of the things in your life that matter most.

Different Types of Bipolar Disorder

People often think of bipolar disorder as a single disorder, but the term actually encompasses different subtypes and specifiers. These subtypes and specifiers generally describe the severity of the mood states, how long they last and how often they occur. A primary distinction is whether you experience manic versus hypomanic episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar I is characterized by having manic episodes lasting for 7 days or longer (most of the day for most of those days). Alternately, a manic episode may resolve in fewer than 7 days if it’s so severe that you must be hospitalized. Generally, you will also experience depressive episodes that last for 2 weeks or longer.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II is characterized by a combination of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes (rather than manic episodes) over the course of the illness. Hypomanic episodes are less severe than manic episodes and may last for fewer days.

Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)

Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by having many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are too short or too mild to meet criteria for hypomanic or depressive episodes.

Mixed Features Specifier

As the title suggests, this is a specifier for Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders. It involves experiencing episodes of depression with mixed features, meaning that you experience depressive and manic symptoms at the same time.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

This specifier for Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders indicates that you have experienced four or more episodes of mania, hypomania or depression within 1 year.

For mental health care in Tennessee, call or text:

877-641-1155

One of our Care Coordinators will help you get the care you need.

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes significant shifts in your mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. These shifts often make it difficult for you to take care of daily responsibilities. They may also cause you to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do, leading to legal, financial and/or relationship problems.

Bipolar mood changes range from emotional lows (depression) to highs (mania or hypomania), with periods of emotional stability occurring outside of those times. You may feel depressed for a period of time and then shift to feeling euphoric, full of energy and/or unusually irritable for several days or longer. These mood changes can affect your judgment, behavior and ability to think clearly. Episodes may occur rarely or multiple times a year. 

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

  • Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired 
  • Increased irritability or explosive anger 
  • Increased activity, energy or agitation (pacing, restlessness) 
  • Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (feeling unusually important, talented or powerful) 
  • Decreased need for sleep 
  • Increased distractibility 
  • Talking fast and about many different things, difficult to understand 
  • Racing thoughts 
  • Engaging in high-risk activities that show poor judgment, such as spending lots of money or taking sexual risks 

Bipolar Disorder Testing and Assessment in Memphis, TN

Athena Care offers bipolar disorder assessment at our clinic in Memphis, TN. This typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional to determine the presence and severity of bipolar symptoms. Given the complexity of bipolar disorders, there isn’t a single specific test that definitively diagnoses it; instead, the evaluation is usually multifaceted and may include various components.

These components often include a clinical interview and collateral information.  During the clinical interview, a psychologist, therapist or other mental health professional will gather information about your background, your current symptoms and the impact that your symptoms have on your daily life. Your clinician may ask you to complete standardized questionnaires or self-report measures to further assess the presence and severity of your symptoms.

Once all necessary information is gathered, your clinician will consider other possible explanations to rule out alternative causes or co-occurring mental health conditions that may contribute to symptoms that mimic manic episodes. Finally, your clinician will collaborate with you to develop a treatment plan to improve your symptoms and restore balance to your daily life.

Bipolar Disorder Test for Adults

If you think you have bipolar symptoms, a psychological assessment can give you valuable insights and help you access effective treatments. There is no cure for bipolar disorders but effective treatments are available. Treatment often includes bipolar disorder medications such as mood stabilizers and may also include talk therapy. Bipolar disorder therapy approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and psychoeducation. A skilled and licensed therapist can teach you about coping with bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder treatment options, managing mood swings, understanding bipolar episodes, and more.

Bipolar Disorder Test Children and Teens

If you think your child shows symptoms of bipolar disorder, it’s important to get help sooner rather than later. Unmanaged bipolar symptoms can be very disruptive to a young person’s development and may damage their overall wellbeing, relationships, academic performance, and their ability to function in other important arenas. Comprehensive assessment for bipolar and other mental disorders can give you valuable insights and help you and your child’s care team plan safe and effective treatments.

How to Find Bipolar Disorder Testing and Assessment Center Memphis, TN

Living in Memphis, TN and looking for Bipolar Disorder testing, specialists or treatment centers? Athena Care, located at 8000 Centerview Parkway Suite 201, Memphis, TN 38018, provides comprehensive services for Bipolar Disorder, including assessment, medication management, therapy, intensive outpatient programs.

Athena Care Bipolar Disorder Services Include:

  1. Bipolar Disorder Testing: Athena Care provides bipolar disorder assessments, an important first step toward accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
  2. Bipolar Disorder Specialist Consultation: Our bipolar disorder specialists will guide you through the process of understanding and managing bipolar mood swings and other aspects of the disorder. Our providers have extensive knowledge and expertise, ensuring that you’ll receive high-quality care.
  3. Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Following a psychiatric diagnosis, Athena Care offers a range of treatment options. Depending on your needs, this could include psychotherapy, medication management or a combination of both. We also provide intensive outpatient programs.

At Athena Care, we understand that Bipolar Disorder can make life feel difficult and overwhelming. We’re committed to providing effective, empathetic and accessible care to help you regain a sense of balance and well-being. Our treatment facility is easily located from all parts of the city. Call us at (877) 641-1155, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. One of our care coordinators will help you get the care you need.

Does health Insurance Cover Bipolar Disorder in Tennessee?

Most health insurance companies cover mental health testing and treatment when certain criteria are met. In Tennessee, these companies include Aetna, Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, TRICARE and UnitedHealthcare, among others. However, coverage for services depends on your specific insurance plan. Most plans require you to pay your deductible, co-pay or co-insurance for mental health services.

Since your health insurance plan dictates the services your insurance company will cover, it’s important to carefully review your insurance policy, paying attention to any information related to mental and behavioral health services. The most reliable method for determining your coverage may be to contact your health insurance company directly.

For bipolar disorder assessment and treatment services in Tennessee, call or text us at (877) 641-1155. One of our care coordinators will answer any questions or concerns you may have and help you get the care you need.

How Much Does Bipolar Disorder Testing Cost in Memphis, TN?

The cost of bipolar disorder testing in Memphis, Tennessee, can vary based on several factors, including your insurance coverage, the type of assessments you need and the healthcare provider or facility performing the testing. If you were to pay out-of-pocket for a bipolar disorder assessment, the cost would likely range from around $200-$700.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance plans provide coverage for mental health testing and services. Contact your insurance provider to determine the bounds of your coverage, any out-of-pocket expenses that you’ll have to pay, and any specific requirements for obtaining coverage (e.g., preauthorization for services, referrals, etc.).

Diagnostic Services and Providers

How much you’ll pay for bipolar disorder testing may depend on the specific tests required and the professionals performing the assessment. Psychologists, licensed therapists, and other specialists may have varying fees for their services. You may be able to obtain a lower cost evaluation at a college or university in which graduate students perform the evaluations under supervision from a licensed psychologist.

Bipolar Disorder Facts and Statistics in Tennessee

Additional bipolar disorder research into the state-level prevalence in Tennessee is needed. However, an estimated 2.8% of U.S. adults had bipolar disorder in the past year and an estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults may experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives2.

Similarly, an estimated 2.9% of adolescents had bipolar disorder within the past year and the numbers were higher in females than in males (3.3% and 2.6%, respectively) 2.

Based on research findings, the onset of bipolar disorder tends to be in late adolescence or early adulthood3.

Sources

  1. Cordoso de Almeida, J.R. & Phillips, M.L. Distinguishing between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression: Current and Future Clinical and Neuroimaging Perspectives. Biological Psychiatry. 2013; 73(2): 111-118.
  2. Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder Among Adults. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder
  3. Duffy, A. Goodday, S. Keown-Stoneman, C. & Grof, P. The Emergent Course of Bipolar Disorder: Observations Over Two Decades From the Canadian High-Risk Offspring Cohort. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2018. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18040461
  4. Carvalho, A.F., Dimellis, D., Gonda, X., Vieta, E., McIntyre, R.S. & Fountoulakis, K.N. Rapid cycling in bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2014; 75(6) 578-586.
  5. Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). February 2023. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder

If you or someone you love would benefit from talking to a mental health provider in Tennessee, call or text:

877-641-1155

One of our Care Coordinators will help you get the care you need.