Bipolar disorder is a treatable mental health condition marked by extreme shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior. An estimated 2.8 percent of U.S. adults experience it in a given year. Treatment typically combines medications prescribed by a medical provider with talk therapy, and most people who follow a treatment plan can manage their symptoms well.
If you or someone you love is having thoughts of suicide or self harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Key takeaways
- An estimated 2.8 percent of U.S. adults had bipolar disorder in the past year, and about 4.4 percent experience it at some point in their lives, per the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Mania and depression each have distinct warning signs, and learning to recognize them early is a core treatment skill.
- Bipolar II is not a milder form of bipolar I. It is a separate diagnosis, according to Mayo Clinic.
- Treatment usually combines medication, managed by a physician or psychiatric provider, with talk therapy. Foundations provides the talk therapy side of that team.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. It is more common than many people realize: the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.8 percent of U.S. adults had bipolar disorder in the past year, and 4.4 percent experience it at some time in their lives.
Bipolar disorder usually begins in late adolescence, often appearing as depression during the teen years, although it can start in early childhood or later in life. It appears to have a genetic link, and like depression and other serious illnesses, its symptoms can affect spouses, partners, family members, friends, and coworkers. With the right treatment and support, people with bipolar disorder learn to cope with the illness and live full lives.
What Are the Signs of Bipolar Mania?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health and other clinical authorities, a manic episode may include these warning signs:
- Feeling overly happy, high, or elated for long stretches of time
- Feeling easily agitated; some describe it as feeling jumpy or twitchy
- Talking very fast, often accompanied by racing thoughts
- Extreme restlessness or impulsivity
- Impaired judgment
- Unrealistic overconfidence in your abilities or powers
- Engaging in risky behavior, such as impulsive sex, gambling with life savings, or big spending sprees
What Are the Signs of Bipolar Depression?
A depressive episode may include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless for long periods of time
- Withdrawal from friends and family, or a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Significant loss or increase in appetite
- Severe fatigue or lack of energy
- Slow speech
- Problems with memory, concentration, and decision making
- Thoughts or attempts of suicide, or preoccupation with death
Thoughts of suicide always deserve immediate attention. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, day or night.
What Are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?
The patterns and severity of the highs and lows differentiate how the disorder is classified.
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes (symptoms of both mania and depression occurring nearly every day for at least one week), usually alongside major depressive episodes. It is marked by dramatic and clearly defined highs and lows.
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode, a period of elevated energy and mood that is less severe than full mania but clearly different from the person's usual state. Because the highs are subtler, bipolar II can be harder to recognize and diagnose. As Mayo Clinic puts it, bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder. It is a separate diagnosis.
Clinicians also recognize cyclothymia, a pattern of milder mood swings that persists for years, and bipolar symptoms related to certain substances or medical conditions.
How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it responds well to treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, treatment typically involves medicines and talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, and following a treatment plan is what makes symptoms manageable.
Medication decisions, including whether mood stabilizing medication is right for you, belong with your physician or a psychiatric provider. Foundations Counseling provides talk therapy only, and we work as the therapy component of your care team alongside your medical providers. If you are weighing how the two pieces fit together, our guide to talk therapy vs medication management walks through what each one does.
Within therapy, approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help you recognize the thought and behavior patterns that precede mood episodes and build skills to respond to them.
How Can Counseling Help You Manage Bipolar Disorder?
In bipolar disorder therapy at Foundations, you can learn to recognize manic episodes before they become full blown and develop new behaviors to implement during an episode. We also help you endure depressive periods by building thoughts and behaviors that help offset the low mood, and we help you watch for the early warning signs that matter most for you. Because the illness affects the whole household, it is very important that partners and family members are involved, so they can gain support and tools to effectively support their loved one. If depression is the side of the illness weighing on you most right now, our depression therapy page covers that work in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bipolar disorder treatable?
Yes. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it is very treatable. Treatment typically combines medication managed by a medical provider with talk therapy, and most people who follow a treatment plan can manage their symptoms, keep relationships strong, and live full lives. Early recognition of mood episodes makes treatment work even better.
Does bipolar disorder require medication?
Medication decisions belong with your physician or a psychiatric provider, and for many people medication is a core part of managing bipolar disorder. Talk therapy works alongside it, building skills to recognize and respond to mood episodes. Foundations provides the talk therapy component and coordinates with your medical care, not in place of it.
What is the difference between bipolar I and bipolar II?
Bipolar I involves full manic episodes with dramatic, clearly defined highs and lows. Bipolar II involves depressive episodes plus hypomania, a subtler elevated state that never reaches full mania. Mayo Clinic is clear that bipolar II is not a milder form of bipolar I; it is a separate diagnosis that is often harder to recognize.
What should I do if someone I love is in crisis?
If there are thoughts of suicide or self harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Once the immediate crisis has passed, help your loved one connect with their medical provider and a therapist to adjust their treatment plan.
Clinically reviewed by Chris Berger, M.A., LPC, NCC.
Struggling to deal with bipolar disorder in your family? It can get better. Book a free consultation to learn how our counselors can help. And remember, in a crisis you can always call or text 988.
