Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Florida
Same-day visits are often possible
See us in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida. Ages 6 and up. We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and most major insurance plans. Se habla español.
Bipolar disorder causes big shifts in mood, energy and activity, from highs called mania or hypomania to deep lows of depression. Episodes can last a week or two or longer, and in between, many people feel like themselves again.
Noticing big shifts in mood, sleep or energy? Our mood changes guide helps you sort out what to bring up with a provider. It is educational and does not diagnose bipolar disorder.
It usually needs long-term care, and treatment helps even in severe cases. We treat bipolar disorder in adults at our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida.
Signs of Mania
- Feeling very up, high or extremely irritable
- Racing thoughts and talking fast
- Needing much less sleep
- Feeling unusually important, talented or powerful
- Taking risks, like big spending or reckless behavior
Hypomania is a milder version. People often feel great and productive and don’t think anything’s wrong, but family may notice.
Signs of Bipolar Depression
- Feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless
- Low energy and losing interest in almost everything
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Trouble concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Some people have mixed episodes with both at once. In severe episodes, some people have hallucinations or delusions.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar I: manic episodes that last at least 7 days or need hospital care, usually with depressive episodes too
- Bipolar II: depressive episodes and hypomania, without full mania
- Cyclothymia: ongoing ups and downs that are milder than full episodes
Symptoms usually start in the late teens or early adulthood. Many people, especially with bipolar II, are first treated for depression alone, because the highs go unnoticed. That’s one reason we ask about past highs during every depression evaluation.
How We Treat Bipolar Disorder
It starts with a full psychiatric evaluation, including your mood history, sleep, family history and any substance use.
Medication
Mood stabilizers are a mainstay. Lithium can help prevent episodes and lower suicide risk, and lamotrigine helps delay mood episodes in bipolar I. Some antipsychotics are used too, such as quetiapine, lurasidone, cariprazine and aripiprazole. Two monthly shots, Abilify Maintena and Uzedy, are approved for ongoing bipolar I treatment in adults, and we give both in our office. Antidepressants aren’t used alone in bipolar disorder, because they can set off mania. Finding the right mix can take time, and some people need more than one medicine. Ongoing care is part of medication management.
Don’t stop your medication on your own, even when you feel well. Call us first.
Therapy
We offer CBT for depression and for insomnia. Sleep matters a lot in bipolar disorder, and CBT for insomnia can help during bipolar depression. Therapy openings depend on our therapists’ schedules, so ask our staff. More on therapy.
Day-to-day habits
- Keep regular times for sleep, meals and exercise
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Track your mood in a journal or app
- Keep your follow-up visits
Children and Teens
We diagnose and treat bipolar disorder in adults. With children and teens, we focus on figuring out which symptoms are causing trouble and treating those, whether that’s mood swings, sleep problems, anxiety, trouble concentrating or something else.
The DSM-5, the manual clinicians use to diagnose mental illness, doesn’t set a minimum age for diagnosing bipolar disorder. Symptoms most often start in the late teens or early adulthood, though children can occasionally have them. Symptoms in young people can overlap with other conditions, so a diagnosis at a young age takes careful evaluation over time, and a parent or guardian is part of every visit and decision.
How to Get Started
1. Ask for an appointment
Call (754) 270-6322 or request an appointment online. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and same-day visits are often possible.
2. We call you back
Our staff check your insurance, send your intake packet and confirm the time of your visit and whether it’s in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video.
3. Your first visit
Your provider goes over your symptoms, history, past treatment and current medications, then talks through a plan with you. It helps to bring someone who has seen your mood changes, if you’re comfortable with that.
Common Questions
Is bipolar disorder lifelong?
Usually, yes. Symptoms come and go, but long-term treatment helps most people stay stable.
Can I take an antidepressant for bipolar depression?
Sometimes, added to other medication. Antidepressants aren’t used alone in bipolar disorder because they can trigger mania.
Can bipolar disorder be treated by video?
Yes. Evaluations and follow-ups can be done by video while you’re in Florida.
Do you treat bipolar disorder in teens?
We diagnose and treat bipolar disorder in adults. For children and teens, we focus on identifying and treating the symptoms they’re struggling with.
Does insurance cover bipolar treatment?
Coverage depends on your plan. Our staff check it before your visit, and we have sliding-scale self-pay rates.
Insurance and Cost
We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Optum, and we have sliding-scale rates if you’re paying yourself. We check your coverage before the visit. The price of the medication itself depends on your pharmacy and plan. More on insurance.
We see patients from age 6, and same-day visits are often possible. Several of our providers and staff speak Spanish. Request an appointment or call (754) 270-6322.
Who You’ll See
Your care is with our team of physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. Visits are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Urdu and Hindi. You can meet our providers before you book, and our staff can help you choose someone who’s a good fit.
Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DOPsychiatrist
Dr. Murtaza Ali, DOAddiction specialist and family physician
Dr. Heather Brathwaite, PhD, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner
Michelle KovalPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Russian
Neal Fouke, PAPsychiatric physician assistant
Muhammad Nawaz, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Urdu and HindiWe aren’t an emergency service. If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DO, psychiatrist, on October 6, 2026.
Sources: NIMH: Bipolar Disorder; MedlinePlus: Bipolar Disorder. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Request an Appointment
Tell us how to reach you. Our team calls back the same business day, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Your appointment is confirmed once staff call you to set the time and place.
Prefer to talk to someone? Call (754) 270-6322.
Our Office
3015 N Ocean Blvd, Ste C101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: (754) 270-6322. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Video visits are available anywhere in Florida. Directions and parking.