Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can make life feel unpredictable between the emotional highs and lows. With the right treatment and support, you can find balance and stability.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition that affects how a person’s brain manages their energy, mood, and activity levels. People with bipolar disorder experience intense changes in mood that range from high energy (mania or hypomania) to low energy (depression). These mood shifts can disrupt daily life, work, school, and relationships, and sometimes require hospitalization.
If you’re living with bipolar disorder, you can still lead a full and meaningful life. With the right treatment and support, most people manage their symptoms and return to doing what they enjoy.
Types of bipolar disorder
There are several types of bipolar disorder, based on the pattern and intensity of symptoms:
- Bipolar I disorder: Involves at least one manic episode, often with periods of depression.
- Bipolar II disorder: Involves hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes, but no full manic episodes.
- Cyclothymia: Milder, chronic mood changes that last for at least two years.
- Unspecified bipolar disorder: Symptoms don’t fit a specific pattern but still cause disruption.
- Rapid cycling: Four or more mood episodes (manic, hypomanic, or depressive) in one year.
Bipolar disorder across the lifespan
Children & adolescents
Bipolar disorder can appear in childhood or adolescence, and it often presents differently than in adults. Young people may show irritability, aggression, or extreme sensitivity instead of more common manic symptoms.
Early evaluation is key for kids and young people, as bipolar disorder symptoms are often similar to other conditions like ADHD or anxiety.
College students
Bipolar disorder often starts between ages 15 and 24, coinciding with college years. Stress, irregular sleep patterns, and lifestyle changes can worsen symptoms.
There are several ways you can limit the effects of bipolar disorder, including:
- Avoiding alcohol and drugs
- Eating balanced meals
- Exercising regularly
- Keeping a consistent sleep schedule
- Staying connected to your support systems
- Sticking to treatment and medication plans
Older adults
Although it’s less common, people can develop bipolar disorder later in life. Because its symptoms can resemble dementia or depression, diagnosing it accurately can be difficult. If you or a loved one notices new mood changes, contact a health care provider for an evaluation.
Signs & symptoms
Bipolar disorder symptoms differ from person to person and depend on the type of episode. You may experience mainly depression, mainly mania or hypomania, or a mix of both.
Depressive episode
A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks and includes five or more of these symptoms:
- Appetite or weight changes
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Irritability or mood swings
- Loss of interest in friends, family, or activities
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Sleep changes (too little or too much)
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Manic episode
A manic episode lasts at least one week and includes three or more of these symptoms:
- Distractibility or racing thoughts
- Feeling unusually high or euphoric
- Impulsive or risky behavior (spending, sex, substance use)
- Inflated sense of confidence or importance
- Jumping between ideas
- Needing little sleep without feeling tired
- Talking rapidly
Hypomanic episode
Hypomania is a milder form of mania that lasts for at least four days. The symptoms are similar to mania, but less severe. Even so, hypomania can still disrupt your daily life and relationships.
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be challenging since its symptoms can resemble other mental health conditions. Health care providers take time to understand your symptoms, mood changes, and personal history. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), changes in energy levels are a key sign of bipolar disorder.
Only a licensed health care professional can diagnose bipolar disorder. If you think you might have symptoms of bipolar disorder, it’s important to talk to your doctor rather than trying to diagnose yourself.
Treatment for bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder need ongoing treatment to monitor symptoms and adjust medications. With the right combination of treatments, you can manage symptoms and live well.
Medication
Finding the right medication takes time and patience. What works depends on your specific symptoms, medical history, and other health conditions you may have. Mood stabilizers (like lithium), anticonvulsants, or antipsychotics help prevent extreme mood swings.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps people recognize mood triggers, manage stress, and develop coping strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy are especially effective.
Lifestyle changes
Good daily habits make a real difference in managing bipolar disorder. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a good sleep routine can help stabilize your mood.
Support systems
Everyone needs a support village — family, friends, and support groups are there to encourage you and hold you accountable.
When to get help
Talk to a health care provider if you've experienced:
- Depressive symptoms for at least two weeks
- Manic symptoms for at least one week
- Hypomanic symptoms for at least four days
They'll help you make sense of what you're feeling and create a sustainable treatment plan. You don't have to figure this out alone.
Frequently asked questions
Who can develop bipolar disorder?
Anyone can experience bipolar disorder — regardless of age, gender, race, or background. Each person’s experience is unique, and symptoms may appear differently depending on life stage, environment, and genetics.
What are the causes of bipolar disorder?
There isn’t one single cause of bipolar disorder. It’s likely the result of a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences.
Research from the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program shows that multiple factors can cause bipolar disorder, including:
- Brain chemistry changes
- Cognitive patterns and emotional processing
- Disrupted sleep
- Personality and temperament
- Substance use or behavioral patterns
- Trauma or stressful life events
How long do bipolar episodes last?
The duration of a bipolar episode varies by type:
- A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks
- A manic episode lasts at least one week
- Hypomania (a milder form of mania) lasts at least four days
References
Geddes, J. R., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Treatment of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672-1682.
Kessler, R. C., et al. (2012). International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 21(3), 169–184.
McInnis, M. G., et al. (2018). Heinz C. Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(1), 28–28n.
National Institute of Mental Health (2016). Bipolar Disorder.
Birmaher, B. (2013). Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 18: 140–148.
Pedrelli, P., et al. (2015). Academic Psychiatry, 39(5), 503–511.
Sajatovic, M., et al. (2015). Bipolar Disorders, 17(7), 689–704.