It's a condition where you experience extreme emotional states, ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. These mood changes can be influenced by genetics, your environment, and changes in brain structure and chemistry.
During a manic episode, you might feel unusually high energy, have less need for sleep, engage in more risk-taking behaviors, and have an inflated sense of self-importance. Some may even lose touch with reality. On the other hand, depressive episodes can leave you feeling extremely low, lacking in energy and motivation, and uninterested in daily activities. These mood episodes can vary in length and intensity and, in some cases, might include thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Bipolar Disorder has different forms, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Unspecified Bipolar Disorder.
While mood-stabilizing drugs and/or atypical antipsychotics are part of our treatment, we also focus on individual, family, and group therapies. In line with our holistic approach, we integrate non-traditional methods such as nutrition counseling and the use of supplements.
For Bipolar depression, we utilize a range of effective on- and off-label treatments. Our goal is to use the minimal amount and the most effective doses of medications for each patient. At Mind Align Psychiatry, under the leadership of Dr. David Danish, an Ivy League-trained psychiatrist, we are dedicated to providing real-time, text-based care, innovative, and research-backed treatment options to help you manage Bipolar Disorder effectively.
Joseph Gagnon Jr., CRNP, PMHNP-BC
Joe is a proficient Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with specialized training in treatment-resistant psychosis. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. With a deep understanding of these complex conditions, Joe employs a range of advanced therapeutic techniques and medications, tailored to effectively manage and support patients dealing with these challenging mental health issues. His commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the field ensures his patients receive comprehensive and cutting-edge care.
Joe specializes in the treatment of ADHD (including in children, teens, adults, older adults, and adult-onset ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders (including OCD), Depression, Movement Disorders (specifically Tardive Dyskinesia and Akathisia), Psychotic Disorders (including early onset Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder), Bipolar Disorder, and Addictive Disorders (Substance Abuse, Binge Eating Disorder, and Gambling Use Disorder). He has extensive experience in treating both children and adolescents. Additionally, he holds a waiver for completion of specialized training in the use of Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) for assisting individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorders. Joe is our Senior Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and he provides weekly supervision sessions with each of our other nurse practitioners.
Joe has nearly two decades of psychiatric experience including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency crisis response center settings. His psychiatric work experience includes positions at Lehigh Valley Health Network, The Horsham Clinic, The University of Pennsylvania Health System (Pennsylvania Hospital and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center), Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Haven Behavioral Hospital of Eastern Pennsylvania, Berkshire Psychiatric, and Penn Psychiatric Center.
In addition to his role as an outpatient psychiatric provider, Joe also has experience presenting nationwide to other prescribers regarding the treatment and diagnosis of Tardive Dyskinesia, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Depression. Joe maintains active adjunct faculty status in the Department of Nursing at Montgomery County Community College where he teaches undergraduate nursing students in both the clinical and classroom setting. Additionally, he has served as a clinical faculty instructor for graduate and doctorate level students at Anderson University, Chamberlain University, Drexel University, Eastern Kentucky University, Herzig University, La Salle University, Liberty University, Maryville University, Montgomery County Community College, Post University, Rocky Mountain University, Spring Arbor University, University of Cincinnati, Walden University, and Wilkes University for students studying to become Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
Joe graduated Summa Cum Laude from Walden University with a Master of Science in Nursing and he is board-certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to treat across the lifespan by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). He is also board-certified by the ANCC as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse. Joe is licensed as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in both PA and NJ. He also has supplemental education in Plant-Based Medicine through Cornell University.
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