What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression, is a mood disorder that causes extreme mood changes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 4.4% of adults experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.

There are generally three phases that people with bipolar disorder experience. The high state is known as mania, the low state is bipolar depression, and there is also a stable state where people with bipolar disorder feel well and function normally.

Manic and Depressive Phases

During the manic phase, a person will have an elevated mood and may feel happy, even euphoric, and full of energy. Or, they may have severe episodes of anger, irritability, or aggression.

During a depressive phase, people with bipolar disorder will have severe episodes of very low moods. They may be tired, feel guilt or worthlessness, and have changes in sleep patterns and appetite.

Depressive and manic phases last at least a week or two, and may last several weeks.

Stable Phases

People with bipolar disorder also have phases of stability that can weeks, months, or even years. This is challenging because it can cause someone with bipolar disorder to believe they don’t need to treat bipolar disorder or take their medication. As a result, when the stable phase ends, they can move into dangerously high or low moods and may be resistant to resuming bipolar disorder treatment and medication.

Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder

There are two different diagnoses for bipolar disorder. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by extremely high manic episodes that can be disruptive and even require hospitalization. Patients may also have depressive episodes.

Bipolar II disorder has hypomanic and depressive symptoms. Hypomania is an elevated mood similar to mania, but the mood shift is less extreme. Depressive episodes are significant and last at least two weeks.

Those with Bipolar I often have co-occurring disorders, including mental health conditions, substance use disorder, and/or ADHD. Individuals with Bipolar I have a much higher risk of suicide than the general population as well.

The good news is that mental health treatment can treat bipolar disorder and help people manage manic and depressive symptoms so they can create a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on whether the person is in the manic or depressive phase. Bipolar I is diagnosed based on an episode of manic symptoms, whereas Bipolar II includes hypomania and depressive episodes.

Symptoms of Manic and Hypomanic Episodes

During full-blown manic phases, people with bipolar disorder have very high moods and even psychotic symptoms. Hypomania is a less severe form of the same symptoms.

During manic phases or hypomania, people with bipolar disorder may experience:

  • Being much more energetic, active, or agitated than usual
  • Racing thoughts
  • Feelings of exaggerated self-esteem or grandeur
  • Needing much less sleep
  • Being much more talkative or talking very fast
  • Distractibility
  • Making impulsive or rash decisions, such as spending a lot of money or engaging in high-risk activities

Sometimes those with manic episodes also experience psychotic symptoms. For a person with bipolar disorder, the manic or hypomanic episodes may feel pleasurable. They may not have any idea how extreme their behavior is until the episode is over.

Depressive Symptoms and Depressive Episodes

Manic and depressive symptoms are at opposite ends of the spectrum. During depressive episodes, individuals will have at least two weeks with these types of symptoms:

  • Depressed mood
  • Loss of interest and joy in activities they used to enjoy
  • Changes in weight
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Apathy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Loss of energy
  • Thoughts of suicide

Depressive symptoms can be very overwhelming and can result in the individual making choices they later regret. Bipolar depression is a chronic condition, but with proper treatment programs that include family-focused therapy and medication like mood stabilizers, people with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms and create a life they enjoy.

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Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

Your doctor will look at several factors to determine if your symptoms indicate bipolar disorder. They’ll start with a physical exam, which will check for medical issues that may be causing your symptoms.

Then you’ll fill out mental health history and assessments to evaluate your mood swings and other symptoms. The diagnosis is based on the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Bipolar I is diagnosed based on at least one episode of mania that lasts at least one week. It must include three to four of the symptoms of mania and be a severe mood disturbance that cannot be attributed to substance use or another medical condition.

Bipolar II is based on both hypomanic and depressive symptoms. The hypomanic symptoms must last at least a week, and the depressive symptoms must last at least two weeks. Hypomania is less severe than mania, but must be noticeable by others. The depressive episode includes symptoms that cause clinically significant impairment in daily life. Like Bipolar I, the symptoms cannot be attributable to substance use or a medical condition.

Factors That Increase the Risk for Bipolar Disorder

Like many mental health conditions, experts don’t know the exact causes of bipolar disorder. However, there are some risk factors that can increase your chances of developing bipolar disorder.

You may be more likely to have bipolar disorder if you:

  • Have experienced childhood trauma or abuse
  • Use recreational drugs
  • Experienced stressful life events such as relationship issues, abuse, the death of a loved one, or money problems
  • Have family members who have bipolar disorder
  • Have an infection from a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis.
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Bipolar Disorder Treatment

There are many ways to treat bipolar disorder, and at Elevate Recovery Center, we offer multiple outpatient treatment programs that can help.

One of our mental health professionals can create the right bipolar disorder treatment plan for your needs. To manage mood swings, there is pharmacological treatment, which includes medication such as mood stabilizers.

You can also use talk therapy to address trauma and learn coping mechanisms to help you manage stress. If you struggle with major depression, there are treatment options that target that specifically as well.

Family-Focused Therapy and Adjunctive Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder Care

Talk therapy is a core component of most bipolar disorder treatment plans and is often used alongside medication to support long-term recovery. Therapy may be delivered in individual, group, or family settings, depending on a patient’s needs.

Family-focused therapy helps loved ones understand bipolar disorder and its symptoms while teaching effective communication and problem-solving skills. This approach strengthens the support system at home, which is essential for reducing relapse risk and improving treatment outcomes.

Adjunctive psychotherapy refers to therapeutic interventions used in addition to medication or other primary treatments. For bipolar disorder, this often includes evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, or Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy, which focuses on stabilizing daily routines and managing stress to help regulate mood symptoms.

At Elevate Recovery Center, we incorporate these approaches into comprehensive treatment plans that support both symptom management and long-term emotional wellness.

Mental Health Medications and Clinical Trials

Because bipolar disorder is related to brain chemistry and mood regulation, mood-stabilizing medications are often a key part of a patient’s overall treatment plan. These medications help reduce the intensity of mood swings and support emotional stability over time.

Antipsychotic medications are commonly used to manage symptoms of bipolar disorder, particularly for individuals who experience psychotic features during mood episodes. These medications regulate dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain, helping to stabilize thought patterns and behavior. Valproic acid is one example frequently used in bipolar care.

In some cases, antidepressant medications may be prescribed to help address depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. These medications are typically used with caution and in combination with mood stabilizers to reduce the risk of triggering a manic episode.

Most medications for bipolar disorder are prescribed as maintenance treatments, meaning they are taken long-term to prevent symptom recurrence. Patients may also benefit from ongoing medication management and monitoring to ensure effectiveness and address any side effects. For those who don’t respond to standard medications, clinical trials and emerging therapies may offer additional options.

Treating Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression involves intense sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in daily activities, and these episodes can be more challenging to treat than other forms of depression. At Elevate Recovery Center, our treatment plans address both the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder through a combination of medication, therapy, and structured support. With the proper care, individuals can manage bipolar depression effectively and work toward long-term stability.

Get Treatment For Bipolar Disorder Today

Bipolar disorder can be very debilitating, and people with bipolar disorder often wonder if there’s anything that will help. At Elevate Recovery Center, our treatment programs are designed to address mood disorders and can be effective for bipolar disorder treatment.

Our mental health professionals are experts in clinical practice and can provide talk therapy, mood stabilizers, medication management, and access to additional treatment as needed. We provide mental health treatment along with support for co-occurring disorders, including substance use disorder.

You don’t have to be held captive by ongoing depressive and manic phases. Instead, you can get effective bipolar disorder treatment and reclaim your mental health. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today.