Bipolar Disorder

Causing intense and disruptive mood swings, Bipolar Disorder can impact all aspects of a person’s life, including relationships, work or school performance, and overall well-being. At Dayrise Wellness, we believe that understanding the nature of Bipolar Disorder is crucial to recognizing the signs and seeking appropriate supportive therapy.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are several types of Bipolar Disorder, each presenting with unique characteristics:

 Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar Disorder:

These are conditions where symptoms do not meet the criteria for any other type but can still have a significant impact on daily functioning.

Bipolar Disorder by Age

Bipolar disorder has a strong genetic link, and stress, sleep disruption, and substance use can trigger episodes. The pattern often looks different at different ages.

Bipolar disorder in teens and young adults

Symptoms often begin between the late teens and mid-twenties. In teens, mood episodes can look like extreme irritability, sudden shifts in energy, sharply reduced sleep without feeling tired, risky choices, or a deep low that lasts for weeks. Because these changes can resemble typical teen moodiness, bipolar disorder is often missed or mistaken for depression or ADHD.

Bipolar disorder in adults

Adults often seek help during a depressive episode, which can delay an accurate diagnosis. Manic or hypomanic periods may show up as unusual productivity, big spending, risky decisions, or little need for sleep. Over time, episodes can strain work, finances, and relationships. Major life changes, poor sleep, and substance use can trigger an episode at any age.

Bipolar disorder is manageable at every age. Treatment often combines therapy with medical care from a prescriber, and our team coordinates with your doctor.

Impact on School, Work and Daily Life

Relationships and Social Interactions 

Navigating relationships during periods of mania or depression can be challenging. During manic episodes, impulsivity can lead us to act recklessly, resulting in behaviors we may later regret and that can damage our relationships. We may also feel disconnected from friends and family, leading to social isolation.

Treatments Options

Bipolar Disorder is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive treatment approach. Depending on our specific needs and goals, this may include medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of approaches.

Medication Management:

Medications can be an essential component of our Bipolar Disorder treatment, helping stabilize mood swings and manage symptoms. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants may be prescribed based on our specific symptoms and needs.

Psychotherapy:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a popular form of psychotherapy that can help us manage our bipolar symptoms and address underlying issues. Other approaches, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), are also valuable in helping us cope with difficult emotions healthily.

Group Therapy:

Group therapy can be a powerful tool in helping people build meaningful connections with peers and support systems. It may also help develop the skills they need to manage their emotions, deal with crises more effectively, and make healthy decisions.

Lifestyle Change:

Positive lifestyle changes can significantly benefit the management of our Bipolar Disorder symptoms. Encouraging regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress-reduction techniques can help stabilize our mood and enhance our well-being.

Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness-based practices can be beneficial in enhancing emotional regulation and reducing stress. Additionally, meditation can be a powerful tool in calming and grounding oneself, helping to create a sense of inner peace.

At Dayrise Wellness, we understand the unique challenges that come with Bipolar Disorder. Our commitment lies in providing the supportive therapy necessary to guide adolescents and their families in crafting individualized treatment plans. Together, we strive to help teens navigate their journey toward a fulfilling life while managing their conditions effectively.

Bipolar disorder vs depression

People often ask how bipolar disorder differs from depression. Depression involves persistent sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, or loss of interest. Bipolar disorder includes those depressive episodes plus completely separate periods of elevated mood. Depressive episodes usually last two weeks or more. Elevated mood is called mania or hypomania, depending on severity and duration.

These shifts go beyond the normal ups and downs everyone feels. They last for a distinct period of time before they qualify for a bipolar diagnosis. That is why your clinician needs to understand the criteria for severity and duration.

What mania and hypomania look like

During a manic or hypomanic episode, a person may feel energized, overly confident, productive, restless, or driven. At first it often feels very positive. Over time, it can lead to feeling impulsive or out of control, and to unsafe choices such as risky sexual behavior, substance use, or impulsive spending. These choices often strain relationships and create financial difficulty.

Mania and hypomania look different from person to person. Some people need very little sleep and still feel full of energy. Others take on many projects at once, take risks, spend money impulsively, or have racing thoughts that make it hard to slow down or focus. Because symptoms vary, bipolar disorder is often more complex than people expect.

Why bipolar disorder is often missed

• People seek help during a low. Many people come to treatment during a depressive episode, so a provider who lacks the full history may not recognize earlier mania or hypomania.
• Elevated periods can feel good. Many people like their manic or hypomanic periods because they feel productive and free from depression. They may not see these periods as part of a larger condition, even when relationships and behaviors suffer.
• It can look like something else. In teens and young adults, symptoms can be mistaken for moodiness, impulsivity, or behavior concerns. In adults, they often become clearer through problems at work, in relationships, and with daily responsibilities.

Many people have a first manic episode in late adolescence or early adulthood. It can also happen earlier or later in life.

What causes bipolar disorder?

No single cause exists. Research suggests biology, family history, brain chemistry, environmental stress, and life experiences can all contribute. Risk factors raise vulnerability, and they never guarantee that someone will develop bipolar disorder.

Daily life and loved ones

Bipolar disorder can affect daily life in ways that go beyond visible mood changes. People may find it hard to keep steady routines, manage responsibilities, and maintain relationships. They also cope with uncertainty, because they cannot predict when a depressive or manic episode will come. Family members and loved ones often see behavior changes before the person does, and they may not fully understand what the person feels inside.

Treatment: medication, therapy, and daily habits

Medication often plays an important role in managing symptoms and staying stable. It is one piece of a full treatment plan, and therapy is recommended alongside it. Work with your prescriber on medication, and with your therapist on everything else.

Therapy helps you:

• understand your symptoms and identify triggers
• build coping strategies
• improve communication with family, friends, and coworkers
• build healthy routines that support long-term wellness

Lifestyle changes matter a great deal. Plenty of sleep, stress management, regular physical activity, good nutrition, and social support all affect stability. In therapy, we talk about how you manage each day: whether you are eating and sleeping well, and how things are going with the people close to you. All of these shape mood episodes.

How to tell treatment is working

Progress goes beyond fewer symptoms. It can include fewer mood episodes, steadier relationships, better stress management, steadier routines, and feeling more in control of daily life. Recovery looks different for everyone. The goal is a stable and meaningful life that supports your long-term goals.

Myths about bipolar disorder

• Myth: moods switch from moment to moment. Mood episodes usually last days, weeks, or longer.
• Myth: willpower can control symptoms. Bipolar disorder is a legitimate medical and mental health condition that needs appropriate treatment and support.

Bipolar disorder is highly treatable

With professional support, medication when appropriate, therapy, healthy coping skills, and a strong support system, many people live full, productive, and meaningful lives. Learn more in the National Institute of Mental Health overview of bipolar disorder.

Co-authored and clinically reviewed by Jami Aitken, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services. Last reviewed November 3, 2026.

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