Bipolar Disorder

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes significant shifts in mood, energy, activity level, and ability to function. These shifts can include periods of:

• Mania or hypomania — unusually high or irritable mood, increased energy, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, impulsive decisions, or feeling unusually confident.

• Depression — persistent sadness, low motivation, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, or loss of interest.

• Periods of stability — many people with bipolar disorder also have stretches where their mood is relatively stable.

There are different types, including Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and symptoms can look very different from one person to another.

A woman with glasses and blonde hair, wearing a white blazer and black turtleneck, sits on a black sofa. She is speaking to a young woman with long dark hair, wearing a beige sweater with her hands covering her face, sitting facedown on her lap. The setting appears to be a therapy or counseling session in a bright, minimalist room with a white wall and a gold floor lamp.

Bipolar disorder symptoms generally fall into manic/hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. A person may also have periods of relatively stable mood between episodes.

Mania or hypomania

Someone may experience:

• Very high, excited, or unusually irritable mood

• Much less need for sleep without feeling tired

• Racing thoughts or talking much faster than usual

• Feeling unusually confident or powerful

• Being extremely energetic or productive

• Difficulty slowing down or sitting still

• Increased spending, risky decisions, or impulsive behavior

• Increased sexual interest or other unusually intense behaviors

• Becoming easily distracted

• Feeling like they have many ideas or projects at once

Mania is more severe than hypomania and can significantly interfere with functioning, sometimes requiring hospitalization or involving psychosis.

Depression

Symptoms can include:

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability

• Losing interest in things they normally enjoy

• Low energy or feeling exhausted

• Sleeping much more or much less

• Changes in appetite or weight

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness

• Pulling away from others

• Thoughts about death or suicide

One important distinction

Mood swings alone don’t necessarily mean bipolar disorder. Bipolar episodes typically involve noticeable changes in mood, energy, sleep, thinking, and behavior that persist for a period of time and represent a significant change from the person’s functioning .

Who Can Benefit From Therapy?

Therapy can be helpful for someone with bipolar disorder at almost any stage, particularly when combined with appropriate medical care when medication is indicated.

Therapy may help someone:

• Recognize early warning signs of mood changes

• Develop strategies for managing stress

• Establish healthier sleep and daily routines

• Identify triggers and patterns

• Improve relationships and communication

• Manage anxiety or depressive symptoms

• Reduce impulsive or risky behaviors

• Build coping skills and emotional regulation

• Adjust to receiving a diagnosis

• Create a plan for what to do when symptoms begin escalating

• Address self-esteem, work, parenting, or life-transition concerns

Important: Therapy does not replace psychiatric treatment when medication is needed. A therapist can work alongside a psychiatrist or medical provider to support the person’s overall treatment plan.

If someone is experiencing severe mania, psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or is unable to safely care for themselves, they may need urgent psychiatric or emergency evaluation rather than relying on routine therapy alone.