Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorders involve distinct shifts in mood, energy, activity, and functioning. Episodes may include depression as well as mania or hypomania, which are more than ordinary changes in mood and can significantly alter judgment, sleep, and behavior.
Common signs and experiences
During an elevated episode, a person may need much less sleep, talk rapidly, feel unusually confident or irritable, pursue many activities, or make risky decisions. Depressive episodes can bring low mood, loss of interest, slowed thinking, fatigue, guilt, or thoughts of death. Patterns and severity differ among bipolar diagnoses.
How evaluation works
Diagnosis depends on a detailed timeline of mood episodes, sleep, energy, behavior, medications, substance use, and family history. Clinicians also consider medical causes and conditions that can resemble parts of bipolar disorder. Because treatment choices differ, distinguishing bipolar depression from other depression is especially important.
Treatment and support
Long-term care may include mood-stabilizing medication, psychotherapy, education about early warning signs, consistent sleep and routines, and a crisis plan. Regular follow-up helps adjust treatment and reduce the likelihood or severity of future episodes.
This page provides general education, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. A qualified clinician can assess your individual symptoms and needs.
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