What Bipolar Disorder can look like

Extreme shifts in mood where the individual may experience manic, depressive or mixed episodes. It involves distinct shifts in mood, energy, and functioning that can last days, weeks, or sometimes longer. Many people spend years being treated for depression or anxiety before Bipolar Disorder is identified, so recognizing the pattern matters.

Bipolar II is often the hardest form to recognize, both for the individual experiencing it and people in the individual’s life. It involves periods of typically more significant depressive periods alternating with periods of hypomania, an energized state that is noticeable but less extreme than the full mania seen in Bipolar I. Because hypomania can feel good, even productive, many people never think to mention it. But feeling good doesn't mean there's no impact. Hypomania can strain sleep, relationships, finances, and judgment, and it is often followed by a crash. Even when the highs feel manageable, they are part of a larger pattern that deserves attention

Manic Symptoms

  • Feeling “up” or “wired”

  • Functioning with little to no sleep

  • Taking on many projects at once

  • Rapid speech and thoughts

  • Pressured speech

  • Increased activity and impulsivity (e.g. impulsive spending, risky sexual behaviors)

  • Feeling highly confident or important

  • Anger, irritability, agitation

  • Euphoric mood

  • Poor concentration

Depressive Symptoms

  • Feeling “down” or “slow”

  • Persistent sadness or hopelessness most of the day

  • Loss of pleasure in things you normally enjoy

  • Low energy or sleeping far more than usual

  • Appetite or weight changes

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

  • Decreased energy or fatigue

  • Irritability

Other factors to consider:

  • Cycles where high energy stretches are followed by a crash

  • Depression that hasn't responded well to treatment or antidepressants that seemed to make you feel too elevated

  • Mood changes that affect your work, relationships, or sense of stability

  • A family history of bipolar disorder or mood disorders

How Therapy Can Help

Understanding Patterns

Explore your specific patterns, triggers, and early warning signs to increase self-awareness

Self Esteem and Relationship Support

Address underlying stressors and past wounds to build healthier and more secure relationships with yourself and others

Emotional Regulation

Learn healthy coping mechanisms, habits and lifestyle adjustments (e.g. routine, sleep hygiene) to stabilize mood

Relapse Prevention

Establish a consistent, supportive space to track your mood and maintain necessary routines to minimize the frequency and severity of future episodes