Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day. We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day. We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Bipolar disorder causes distinct swings between high-energy, elevated states and depressive episodes. These mood changes can drive impulsive behaviors, disrupt sleep, and strain relationships and routines.
Effective treatment for bipolar disorder exists. With an accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan, people reduce the frequency and severity of their episodes and build a stable, fulfilling life.
Find support that’s right for you.
Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes significant, noticeable changes in outlook, energy, and behavior. Unlike the ordinary ups and downs of life, these episodes can last for days, weeks, or even months, affecting how a person sleeps, thinks, socializes, works, and makes decisions.
There are several types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode. Mania is a period of severely heightened or irritable mood and increased activity that disrupts daily life and can sometimes involve psychosis or require hospitalization. People with Bipolar I may also experience depressive episodes, although it’s not required for the diagnosis.
Bipolar II disorder requires both major depressive and hypomanic episodes. Hypomania causes many of the same changes as mania but is less intense and doesn’t involve the same degree of disruption. That said, bipolar II isn’t simply the mild version of bipolar disorder; its depressive episodes can be severe and have a major impact on daily life.
Cyclothymic disorder includes recurring cycles of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don’t meet the full criteria for mania or major depression.
Bipolar disorder often appears in the late teens or early twenties, but it can begin at any age. It’s generally a lifelong condition, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always feel unwell. With treatment, many people manage their symptoms and spend much of their time feeling like themselves.
Specific bipolar disorder symptoms manifest depending on whether someone is in a manic, hypomanic, or depressive period. Mixed episodes are also possible, where symptoms of mania and depression occur at the same time or in rapid succession — for example, feeling agitated and hopeless at once.
It may be time to get help if:
• A period of unusually elevated, expansive, or irritable mood has lasted most of the day, nearly every day, for a week or longer, or was severe enough to require hospital care.
• A period of low mood, hopelessness, or loss of interest has lasted most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or longer.
• You’ve experienced both a noticeable activated period and a depression stretch, rather than just one or the other.
• A high or low period has caused you to miss work or school, damage a relationship, or fall behind on responsibilities you’d normally take care of.
• A partner, family member, or friend has noticed that you’re acting differently, pointing out examples such as sleeping less, dramatically altered routines or priorities, or taking unusually impulsive actions.
• You’ve made a financial, professional, or personal decision during a high-energy time that caused lasting negative consequences once it passed.
• You’re regularly drinking or using other substances to fall asleep, calm down, or manage your mood.
You have thoughts of harming yourself or feel that life is not worth living. If so, get immediate support by calling or texting 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 in the U.S. You can also use the Lifeline chat. Services are free and confidential.
Bipolar disorder has a strong genetic component, with multiple genes appearing to contribute alongside differences in brain structure and the neurotransmitters that regulate mood, energy, sleep, and activity. Sleep and circadian rhythms may be particularly important, which could help explain why disrupted sleep can sometimes precede a manic or depressive episode.
Stressful life events, major changes in routine, and significant sleep disruption can trigger bipolar episodes in someone who is already vulnerable. Pregnancy and the postpartum period can also increase the risk of an episode, while seasonal shifts may affect when they occur. Alcohol, recreational drugs, and certain medications can initiate or worsen mania or depression.
Trauma, especially during childhood, may increase the likelihood of developing bipolar disorder. This can include emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, or other prolonged or severe adversity. These experiences can affect the brain’s stress response and emotional regulation systems in ways that interact with a person’s underlying genetic susceptibility.
Treatment for bipolar disorder can help reduce the intensity of mood cycling and bring greater consistency to everyday life. Care may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Our clinicians take the time to understand your history, experiences, and goals, then build a strategy tailored to you. As your needs change, your care evolves with you.
How it works:
Connect with our team to ask questions, share your experiences, and explore care options. We’ll match you with a licensed clinician whose expertise and approach align with your needs.
Schedule an initial appointment to begin a thoughtful, collaborative evaluation. Your clinician will listen closely to your experiences, learn about your symptoms and history, and use evidence-based tools to better understand what’s going on. This process ensures recommendations are tailored to you.
Start your care journey. Therapy for bipolar disorder can help you recognize changes in mood, manage stress, strengthen coping skills, and better understand patterns that contribute to episodes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one approach, along with other evidence-based therapies that may be tailored to your symptoms, experiences, and treatment goals.
Bipolar disorder medication is often central to treatment. Options commonly include mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics to treat and prevent manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes. Antidepressants may be cautiously integrated in some cases, but they’re generally prescribed alongside a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic.
Healthy routines also support treatment. Consistent sleep, regular physical activity, and avoiding alcohol or recreational drugs reduce destabilizing factors that can worsen symptoms.
Connect with our team to ask questions, share your experiences, and explore care options. We’ll match you with a licensed clinician whose expertise and approach align with your needs.
Schedule an initial appointment to begin a thoughtful, collaborative evaluation. Your clinician will listen closely to your experiences, learn about your symptoms and history, and use evidence-based tools to better understand what’s going on. This process ensures recommendations are tailored to you.
Start your care journey. Therapy for bipolar disorder can help you recognize changes in mood, manage stress, strengthen coping skills, and better understand patterns that contribute to episodes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one approach, along with other evidence-based therapies that may be tailored to your symptoms, experiences, and treatment goals.
Bipolar disorder medication is often central to treatment. Options commonly include mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics to treat and prevent manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes. Antidepressants may be cautiously integrated in some cases, but they’re generally prescribed alongside a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic.
Healthy routines also support treatment. Consistent sleep, regular physical activity, and avoiding alcohol or recreational drugs reduce destabilizing factors that can worsen symptoms.
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