Bipolar Disorder
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
If you’ve ever found yourself cycling between emotional highs that feel unstoppable and lows that feel impossible to escape, you may be dealing with bipolar disorder. This condition is more than just occasional mood swings—it’s a serious, but treatable, mental health disorder that affects your energy, sleep, behavior, and ability to function.
Bipolar disorder often causes disruptions in work, relationships, and everyday life. But with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can find stability and regain a sense of control. Whether you’ve lived with these ups and downs for years or are just starting to wonder what’s going on, you’re not alone—and getting help is a powerful first step.
Symptoms You Might Experience
Bipolar disorder is defined by episodes of mania or hypomania (elevated or irritable mood and high energy) and depression (low mood and loss of interest). You might recognize some of these experiences:
During manic or hypomanic episodes, you may:
Feel extremely energetic, excited, or irritable
Sleep very little and still feel wired
Talk quickly or feel like your thoughts are racing
Become more impulsive—spending too much, taking risks, or acting out of character
Experience grand ideas or inflated self-confidence
During depressive episodes, you may:
Feel deeply sad, hopeless, or empty
Lose interest in things you used to enjoy
Sleep too much or struggle with insomnia
Have trouble concentrating or remembering things
Feel slowed down, worthless, or even suicidal
Some people cycle rapidly between moods, while others have long stretches of stability between episodes. No two people with bipolar disorder are exactly the same, which is why personalized care matters.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are a few different types of bipolar disorder, and understanding which one applies to you helps guide treatment:
Bipolar I Disorder: Characterized by at least one full manic episode, often with depressive episodes as well.
Bipolar II Disorder: Involves hypomanic episodes (less severe than full mania) along with major depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia): Frequent shifts between hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don’t meet full criteria for either.
Other Specified or Unspecified Bipolar Disorders: Variants that don’t fit neatly into the above but still cause significant challenges.
Causes and Risk Factors
Bipolar disorder has a strong biological foundation. Genetics play a big role, so if you have a family history of mood disorders, your risk may be higher. Differences in brain structure and how your brain regulates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin can also contribute.
Episodes may be triggered by stress, trauma, substance use, changes in sleep patterns, or even seasonal shifts. Sometimes, symptoms first appear in adolescence or early adulthood, but they can also emerge later in life.
Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as depression—especially if manic symptoms aren’t obvious or aren’t disclosed. That’s why thorough assessment is so important.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Getting an accurate diagnosis can be life-changing. At Valiant Mental Health, we take the time to understand your full picture—not just how you’re feeling today, but your entire pattern of mood, energy, behavior, and sleep across time.
We ask detailed questions about highs and lows, changes in functioning, personal and family history, and any prior treatments. In some cases, we may recommend medical labs or coordination with other providers to rule out other causes.
You deserve a diagnosis that’s not just accurate—but that leads to action.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
There’s no cure for bipolar disorder, but it is highly manageable. Treatment focuses on stabilizing your mood and preventing future episodes—so you can live a steady, fulfilling life.
Medications
The foundation of bipolar treatment is mood stabilizers. These help regulate the highs and lows and reduce the risk of future episodes. Depending on your symptoms, treatment might also include atypical antipsychotics, which help with both manic and depressive phases, or anticonvulsants used for mood regulation.
If depressive symptoms are more prominent, sometimes antidepressants from the SSRI or SNRI class may be introduced—but usually only alongside a mood stabilizer. Using antidepressants alone can sometimes trigger mania, so we proceed with caution and close monitoring.
Each person’s brain is different. Finding the right combination may take time, but it’s worth it.
Psychotherapy
Therapy is essential—not just for managing emotions, but for learning how to spot warning signs, cope with stress, and maintain relationships. Approaches that work well include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): Focuses on stabilizing daily routines and sleep patterns
Family-Focused Therapy: Engages loved ones to build support and reduce conflict
Working with a therapist who understands bipolar disorder can make a big difference.
Lifestyle Strategies
You can support your mental health with changes to your daily habits. Some important tools include:
Maintaining regular sleep and wake times
Avoiding alcohol and recreational substances
Keeping routines predictable and balanced
Using mood tracking apps or journals to catch early signs of a shift
These steps can’t replace treatment—but they work best alongside it.
How Medication Management Helps
Managing bipolar disorder with medication isn’t about masking who you are—it’s about helping you feel stable, grounded, and in control. At Valiant, we help you understand what your medications do, how to watch for side effects, and what to expect in the first few weeks and months.
Some medications require blood work to monitor levels and organ function, and we’ll walk you through that process. We also keep an open line of communication—so if something isn’t working, you’re not stuck. Adjustments are normal, and you’re never alone in navigating them.
How Valiant Mental Health Supports You
Living with bipolar disorder can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to make sense of why you feel the way you do. At Valiant Mental Health, we take your experience seriously—and we never reduce you to just a diagnosis.
You’ll have a provider who listens, helps you understand your patterns, and works collaboratively to build a treatment plan that supports both your stability and your goals. We’re here through the ups and downs, with expertise, compassion, and a deep belief that you can thrive.
You are more than your mood swings. You are resilient—and you don’t have to go through this alone.
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You don’t have to leave home to start feeling better. Let’s take that first step together.