Bipolar Disorders

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes changes in:

• Mood
• Energy
• Activity level
• Sleep
• Daily functioning

These mood episodes include periods of depression and periods of mania.

During a depressive episode, you feel sad, hopeless, tired, withdrawn, and unable to enjoy things you usually like. 

In a reversal of depression symptoms, during a manic or hypomanic episode, you may feel unusually energized, restless, impulsive, confident, and irritable.

When manic, you’ll likely need much less sleep than usual, and your appetite may change.

What’s the difference between mania and hypomania?

Mania causes more intense symptoms and can seriously affect your judgment, relationships, work, finances, and safety. Some people have racing thoughts and intense agitation, and in the worst cases, experience hallucinations and delusions.

Hypomania causes similar symptoms, but they’re less severe. Even so, hypomania still needs attention, especially when it leads to poor decisions, conflict, sleep loss, or a crash into depression.

Cyclothymia is a third form of bipolar disorder where both depression and mania are milder. However, it can still be a powerful force in your life.

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Collegial Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Inc. starts with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Your provider asks about your:

• Mood history
• Sleep patterns
• Energy levels
• Symptoms
• Medications
• Substance use
• Medical history
• Stressors
• Family history

An accurate diagnosis matters because bipolar disorder can sometimes look like depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), trauma-related symptoms, or substance addiction.

Understanding the full picture helps your provider recommend the right care.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Bipolar disorder usually needs long-term care. Treatment often includes medication management, psychotherapy, lifestyle support, and ongoing follow-up. 

Medications may include mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, or other prescriptions that reduce mood swings and support long-term stability.

Psychotherapy can help you:

• Understand triggers
• Manage stress
• Improve routines
• Strengthen relationships
• Notice early warning signs of mood changes

Your provider may also discuss sleep, substance use, daily structure, and coping skills because these can affect mood stability.

Can bipolar disorder improve with treatment?

Bipolar disorder treatment reduces the frequency and intensity of mood episodes, so many people live full and productive lives with ongoing support.

The team at Collegial Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Inc. takes a patient-centered and nonjudgmental approach. Call the office or schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment online today to learn more about treatment for bipolar disorder.