Bipolar Disorder Testing and Assessment in Knoxville, Tennessee

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Athena Care Knoxville, Tennessee

Bipolar disorder can make life challenging, but we can help. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have symptoms of bipolar disorder (formerly manic depression), Athena Care Knoxville provides comprehensive diagnostic testing for bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders in a caring and professional environment.

In addition to providing psychological assessments, Athena Care also provides a full range of testing and mental health services for children, adolescents and adults. These include neuropsychological testing, neurodevelopmental testing for ADHD and autism, personality assessment, achievement testing and more. Our comprehensive mental health services include therapy, medication management, intensive outpatient programs, 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 lows (depression) to highs (mania or hypomania). You may feel depressed for a period of time and then shift to feeling euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable for several days or longer.

Bipolar depression often looks similar to a unipolar depressive episode (i.e., Major Depressive Disorder). In fact, it 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 diverge distinctly. 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 going on spending sprees, engaging in risky sexual behaviors, or investing money in unwise business ventures.

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 reduce your symptoms and improve functioning.

Different Types of Bipolar Disorder

What people commonly refer to as Bipolar Disorder is actually comprised of 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.

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. 

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder 

• 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 Knoxville, TN

Athena Care offers bipolar disorder testing at our clinic in Knoxville, TN. This typically involves a comprehensive assessment 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, self-report measures, 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 write a report that summarizes their findings and gives specific recommendations for treatment.

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

Living in Knoxville, TN and looking for Bipolar Disorder testing, specialists or treatment centers? Athena Care, located at 10133 Sherrill Blvd Suite 220, Knoxville, TN 37932, provides comprehensive services for Bipolar Disorder, including testing, medication management, therapy, intensive outpatient programs, TMS and Spravato (esketamine).

Athena Care Bipolar Disorder Services Include:

1. Bipolar Disorder Testing: Athena Care provides thorough bipolar disorder assessments, an essential first step toward an accurate diagnosis. Our team uses a variety of evidence-based assessment components to identify the presence and severity of your mental health symptoms. A thorough assessment helps guide more 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 and innovative treatment options such as TMS and Spravato (esketamine).

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, whether you’re coming from the University of Tennessee (UT) Campus, Downtown Knoxville, Market Square, or South Knoxville (SoKno). We are also in-network with most major insurance companies. 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 testing 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 Knoxville, TN?

The cost of bipolar disorder testing in Knoxville, 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 $250-$750.

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

We need more bipolar disorder research into the state-level prevalence in Tennessee. 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.

Similar to adults, an estimated 2.9% of adolescents had bipolar disorder within the past year. The estimated 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.