What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness and mood disorder that directly impacts a person’s mood, concentration, energy, and more. There are three types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I Disorder: Bipolar I disorder causes manic episodes that last for at least seven days or when manic episodes require hospitalization to manage the symptoms. Depressive episodes, which usually also occur, may last two weeks or longer. In some people, the mood disturbances can come with mixed features. When episodes of depression and mania happen at least four times within a year, this is called “rapid cycling.”
- Bipolar II Disorder: Bipolar II disorder occurs when a person has depressive and hypomanic episodes. In this case, the manic and depressive symptoms are often less severe than with bipolar I disorder. In general, those with bipolar II tend to stay in a low-grade depressive state for extended periods of time.
- Cyclothymic Disorder: This condition, also called cyclothymia, is a type of bipolar disorder that includes recurrent depressive and hypomanic symptoms. In this case, the symptoms are not as intense as bipolar I or II disorder, or they may not last long enough to qualify as depressive or hypomanic episodes. Despite that, the symptoms may still negatively impact a person’s life if they are not treated.
It is also possible to be diagnosed with “other specified” or “unspecified” bipolar disorders. In these cases, your symptoms may not perfectly align with the abovementioned forms of bipolar disorder but still qualify as a form of the condition.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition that normally runs in families. Current research suggests that it is hereditary and may be passed down through a family’s genes. However, genetics aren’t the only factor involved in this condition.
While you may have a brother, sister, mother, father, or other close relative with bipolar disorder, mental disorders like this may also occur after stressful life events or experiencing trauma. In fact, some research has shown that people with bipolar disorder tend to have changes in the way the brain is structured and functions, which can explain some of the symptoms and changes in thinking patterns.
Diagnosing Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II, or Other Forms
Getting a diagnosis is the first significant step toward treatment. To get a diagnosis, your healthcare provider, such as a psychiatrist, will talk to you about your physical and mental health. You will have an examination to rule out other potential causes of illness before a diagnosis, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, can be made.
Some of the symptoms that may be a sign of bipolar disorder are listed in the section below.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can negatively impact your life. Identifying these symptoms can help you understand how bipolar disorder affects you and how it may overlap with major depression , get an appropriate diagnosis, and obtain the right bipolar disorder treatment to help you move forward in your life.
Manic Episode Symptoms
Manic episodes often lead to the following symptoms:
- A surge in energy or activity levels
- Heightened self-esteem or feelings of grandiosity
- Reduced need for sleep
- Excessive talkativeness
- Rapid or racing thoughts
- Increased distractibility
- Participation in high-risk behaviors (e.g., spending sprees, reckless driving)
Hypomanic Episode Symptoms
Hypomanic episodes are often less serious than manic episodes but can be a precursor to a major depressive episode and still may require medical attention. Look for these symptoms:
- Elevated energy or activity levels
- Enhanced mood
- Boosted in productivity
- Heightened self-esteem or feelings of grandiosity
- Reduced need for sleep
- Excessive talkativeness
- Rapid or racing thoughts
- Increased distractibility
Bipolar Depression Symptoms
Depressive episode symptoms may become severe. These symptoms may include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or low mood
- Diminished interest or pleasure in most activities
- Fatigue or energy depletion
- Noticeable changes in appetite or weight
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- Overwhelming feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
It’s important to seek support if you’re having symptoms of bipolar disorder, particularly if those symptoms are negatively impacting your daily life or putting you or others in harm’s way. There are bipolar disorder treatment options that can help you get your symptoms back under control, so you can live a more comfortable life.
Bipolar Disorder Care: What Kinds of Therapy Are There for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder treatment centers focus on providing supportive care and treatment for the symptoms of bipolar disorder. There is no way to cure bipolar disorder, so treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and helping you learn to cope with them in your daily life.
Treatment centers for bipolar disorder may offer these or other therapies to help you on a path to wellness:
Family-Focused Therapy
Family-focused therapy includes your loved ones, like your parents, siblings, or other relatives. In these sessions, you work together to understand bipolar disorder, how it impacts your family unit, and how you can learn to live with it in a healthier way.
Medication
Medication is often used to treat those with bipolar depression. Medication aims to stabilize your mood, reduce the frequency and severity of episodes, and minimize the risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts. The medications that are used may be temporary or used in the long term, depending on the type.
Commonly used medications include:
- Mood stabilizers
- Atypical antipsychotic drugs
- Antidepressant drugs
- Drugs to support sleep or anxiety
One or more medications may need to be combined for the best therapeutic results.
Peer Support Group Therapy
Peer support gives those with bipolar disorder an opportunity to learn from others with the condition. Building companionship and camaraderie is a great way to have a strong support system when symptoms arise and during treatment, and it is also helpful for creating a more balanced life with people who genuinely care about you.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, can be beneficial for those living with bipolar disorder. Talk therapy has many different approaches and techniques that can help individuals understand, identify, and change negative or troubling behaviors, thoughts, or emotions. Some kinds of psychotherapy that can work well for bipolar disorder treatment include:
- Interpersonal therapy
- Social rhythm therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Individual Therapy
An important part of bipolar disorder treatment is individual therapy. During individual therapy, your psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, or psychologist will work with you on your specialized treatment plan for bipolar disorder. There, you can talk about your concerns, learn new methods of coping with the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and focus on ways of managing the condition.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is a way of stimulating the brain to reduce the most severe symptoms of bipolar disorder. ECT is used for mood disorders and to treat bipolar disorder only when other treatments, such as pharmacological treatment, medication, or psychotherapy, have not worked as intended. Sometimes, ECT will be used to treat manic or depressive episodes in situations where a rapid response to treatment is needed, such as if there is a risk of suicide or if the person has become catatonic (unresponsive). ECT is noninvasive but does induce seizure activity with the aim of correcting symptoms quickly.
Light Therapy
For those who have worsening mood symptoms during the winter months or who have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), light therapy has benefits. Light therapy uses predetermined wavelengths of light to mimic the light you’d normally be exposed to during the day in warmer, summer months.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS is a form of brain stimulation. It doesn’t use an electric current but instead magnetic waves to stimulate the brain. It is normally used to help treat the symptoms of depression over several treatment sessions.
Maintenance Treatment
Another one of the treatment options for bipolar disorder is maintenance treatment. This refers to any treatment following the initial treatment program and serves as ongoing support for living with the condition in the long term. A good example of maintenance treatment is staying on a specific therapeutic dose of medications that work for your symptoms and seeing a counselor every few weeks.
Empowering Long-Term Wellness
At Revitalize Wellness Center, we understand that managing bipolar disorder is not a one-size-fits-all journey—it takes compassion, guidance, and the right tools. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a new chapter in your recovery, our team is here to walk alongside you. We’re committed to helping you stabilize, grow, and thrive—so you can build a life that feels balanced, connected, and meaningful.
Revitalize Wellness Center: A Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center
At Revitalize Wellness Center‘s bipolar disorder treatment center, we put you first. We understand that living with the symptoms of bipolar disorder is not easy and that there are times when you may need help to bring the condition back under control. We are here to help you every step of the way, from the moment you reach out until you complete your program. Call us today to speak with one of our helpful admissions team members and discuss enrolling in our treatment program.
References
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies