What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that profoundly affects a person's daily interactions, behaviors, mood, thoughts, energy, and ability to focus. Bipolar disorder is characterized by the presence of periods of low mood (depression) and periods of extremely high mood (mania or hypomania) While everyone experiences life's ups and downs, people with bipolar disorder face extreme highs and lows that can be disruptive to their school, work, and personal lives.¹ Bipolar disorder manifests differently in each person, presenting various types and phases.

On this page, you will learn about the symptoms and phases of bipolar disorder, the different types, potential causes, and common comorbidities. We’ll also explore the medications and treatments available, providing insights on how individuals with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience distinct episodes or cycles of mood-related symptoms, which can be categorized as manic, hypomanic or depressive.¹

• Manic symptoms: When a person with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase, symptoms might include unusually high energy, decreased need for sleep, talkativeness, distractibility, racing thoughts, rapid speech, and potentially dangerous behaviors, such as driving at high speeds.
• Hypomanic symptoms: Hypomania has the same characteristics as mania, but the symptoms are not severe enough to cause marked impairment of functioning.
• Depressive symptoms: Depressive phases of bipolar disorder include symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, including severely dysphoric mood, anhedonia, irritability, sleep disruption, trouble concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, or thoughts of suicide.^{1, 2}

While less common, some people experience mixed episodes during which both depressive and manic or hypomanic symptoms are present or may shift rapidly and frequently between depressive and manic or hypomanic episodes. These episodes can be short-term or last for several weeks.^{1, 2}

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

There is no single cause of bipolar disorder, but research shows that it may be related to several factors, such as genetics, a person’s environment, and brain structure.²

Some people with bipolar disorder also have other mental health diagnoses or symptoms, including:²

• psychosis
• anxiety disorders
• eating disorders
• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• substance and alcohol use disorders

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are three different types of bipolar disorder. All three types are characterized by significant mood disturbances including symptoms of mania or hypomania, and may include symptoms of depression.³

• Bipolar I disorder: Bipolar I disorder typically begins during late adolescence or early adulthood (with an average age of onset around 20 years old), although onset can occur at any point in someone’s life. A person with bipolar I disorder experiences manic episodes that last at least 7 days and can be so severe that the person may require hospitalization.² An individual with bipolar I disorder may also experience major depressive episodes or symptoms, although some people may only experience mania without any depression.¹
• Bipolar II disorder: A person with bipolar II disorder experiences episodes of both major depression and hypomania. The symptoms of hypomania are the same as mania, but they are less severe and only last up to 4 days rather than a week.^{1, 2}
• Cyclothymic disorder: A person with cyclothymic disorder experiences both hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least two years but never to the extent that they qualify as mania or major depression.¹

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or healthcare professional after interviewing to understand a person’s symptoms, mental health and medical history.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition, but with the help of treatment provided by a licensed mental health professional, it is possible to reduce and manage the symptoms. Medication for Bipolar Disorder, along with therapy, is the primary treatment for people living with this condition. At first, treatment for Bipolar Disorder can be difficult. Some people miss how great they felt during the ‘up’ of a manic episode, and the medications can have some side effects that people don’t like. Treatment takes time and it’s important to stick with it to feel better and enjoy a healthy life. Working closely with a medical provider can minimize these challenges, and people can begin to feel that they can take control of their lives again.²

Bipolar Disorder Medication

Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, the prescription medications used to treat the symptoms are considered long-term treatments, meaning that they are designed to be taken even when an individual with bipolar disorder is feeling better.² Some common medications used to treat bipolar disorder include:

• Mood stabilizers: These are the most common types of medications used to treat bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers protect from feeling the extreme highs of a manic episode and the severe lows of a depressive episode.
• Antipsychotics or antidepressants: Sometimes people with bipolar disorder take other types of medications like antipsychotics or antidepressants in addition to a mood stabilizer medication to make the mood stabilizer more effective.

None of these medications are considered addictive but can be dangerous if not used as prescribed. Working with a doctor to determine a treatment regimen to minimize symptoms and maximize benefits is important.²

Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder

Psychotherapy, often referred to as talk therapy, is a valuable component of treatment for individuals with bipolar disorder. It encompasses a variety of techniques designed to help people recognize and alter distressing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a crucial intervention for depression symptoms and can also be helpful for individuals with cyclothymic disorder.^{2, 3} Additional interventions that are effective in the management of Bipolar Disorder include Functional Family Therapy, and Peer Support programs.

Summary

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by distinct episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression, which can vary in duration. There are three types of bipolar disorder, differing in the type, severity, and length of symptoms.

Bipolar disorder can be complex to diagnose and can cause significant difficulty in an individual's life. But with good medication support and psychotherapy, people can manage the condition and live the way they want to live: without the extreme highs and lows. Although treatment can be challenging initially, consistent management helps individuals reduce symptoms and lead healthier lives.2