Bipolar Disorder: Understanding the Highs and Lows
- kaitlynboudreault
- Aug 9
- 6 min read
It’s normal to feel sad or excited from time to time. These highs and lows are an inevitable part of life.
But if you feel as if you are on an emotional rollercoaster and your mood shifts from elation to deep lows, and this interferes with your daily life, it may be more than just the occasional ups and downs of life.
You may be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, which is a mental health condition that impacts millions of people globally.
In Canada alone, approximately 3.4%, or 1.4 million Canadians, will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder during their lifetime.
If you or someone you know is experiencing bipolar disorder, an Ontario counsellor could support you.
This blog will dive into what bipolar disorder is, the different types, how it’s diagnosed, and where you or someone you love could seek support for bipolar disorder.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, which was formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental health condition and mood disorder that is characterized by intense fluctuation in an individual's mood.
People with bipolar disorder experience:
Episodes of extreme highs (mania or hypomania): extreme happiness or euphoria, high energy, unusual irritability, and racing thoughts
Episodes of extreme lows (depression): sadness, losing interest in activities, fatigue, and a sense of hopelessness
The episodes of hypomania are often less extreme than those characterized as mania.
When a person shifts from a manic episode to a depressive episode, these mood changes are often accompanied by changes in sleep, energy, behaviour, and thinking patterns.
These mood shifts may occur rarely or multiple times a year, and each mood episode usually lasts several days.
These mood episodes are also more extreme, longer-lasting, and disruptive to an individual’s everyday functioning than everyday mood swings.
What Does Bipolar Disorder Feel Like?
Every individual experiences bipolar disorder differently, but there are some common signs of both mania and depression.
Symptoms of Mania or Hypomania:
Hypomania and mania have the same symptoms, which include the following:
High energy
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Reduced need for sleep
Talking very fast or jumping from topic to topic
Impulsivity (e.g., risky spending, unsafe sex)
Racing thoughts
Feeling unusually productive or invincible
But mania is typically more severe than hypomania and can cause more marked impairment in daily life. Manic episodes may also include psychosis, which involves a marked break from reality.
A major depressive episode occurs when you experience a loss of interest in everyday activities or you feel sad most days, plus four or more of the following symptoms for at least two weeks.
Fatigue or low energy
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Changes in sleep (insomnia or oversleeping)
Weight changes
Feeling restless
Feeling worthless or as if you can’t do anything right
Thoughts of death or suicide
These depressive symptoms must interfere with your daily functioning for a diagnosis of depression.
These episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. In between episodes of depression and mania, some people feel stable, while others continue to experience lingering symptoms.
What Are the Different Types of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder consists of several different types, which all present slightly differently.
Bipolar I Disorder
This involves mood swings that consist of at least one episode of mania that lasts for at least 7 days or requires hospitalization, as well as a depressive episode that follows. ]
Some people with bipolar I disorder may experience psychosis during mania. Psychosis can occur as:
Delusions: false beliefs that a person holds firmly, even when there is strong evidence that these beliefs are not true
Hallucinations: Sensory experiences where a person sees, feels, tastes, hears, and smells something that isn’t there. It is in the mind, and this happens without any actual external stimulus.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, but it involves hypomanic episodes as opposed to manic episodes. These hypomanic episodes occur with major depressive episodes. With this type of bipolar disorder, people often spend more time in depression than in hypomania.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
This is a milder form of mood disorder that consists of episodes of hypomanic or depressive symptoms that occur for at least two years and don’t meet the full criteria for mania or depression.
Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar Disorders
If someone experiences bipolar-related mood changes that don’t fit into one of the above categories, a mental health professional may use the term ‘Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar Disorders’ to describe what they are experiencing.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
While scientists have yet to discover one specific cause for bipolar disorder, and the exact cause is unknown, several factors may contribute to its diagnosis, including:
Genetics: It often runs in families, and if one family member has bipolar disorder, another is more likely to experience it.
Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters can impact mood.
Stress or trauma: Major life changes or early adversity may trigger episodes.
Sleep disruptions: Changes in sleep-wake cycles can contribute to symptoms.
Substance use: Some substances may trigger or worsen symptoms.
Common Co-Occurring Conditions
Bipolar disorder often co-exists with:
Substance use disorders
Borderline personality disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If you or someone you love is experiencing more than one condition, a doctor will likely tailor your treatment plan so that it addresses all areas of concern.
How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
Bipolar symptoms may be mistaken for stress, trauma, or other mental health conditions, such as ADHD or depression, which makes it difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages.
To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a psychiatrist or psychologist will go through some or all of the following steps:
Conduct a thorough clinical interview.
Ask about your mood history, sleep, energy, behavior, and functioning.
Explore your family history of mood disorders.
Use screening tools or questionnaires.
A comprehensive assessment will be conducted to rule out other mental health or physical health conditions.
How Can You Cope With Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that can be managed with the right treatment, which can help reduce the intensity and frequency of your mood episodes and improve your quality of life.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. But a multimodal approach involving therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes may be helpful.
Therapy and Counselling
Therapy for bipolar disorder can come in the form of various modalities, including, but not limited to:
A therapist for bipolar disorder can help you:
Identify early warning signs of episodes
Develop a safety or wellness plan
Regulate emotions and manage impulsive behaviors
Process trauma or grief that may contribute to symptoms
Learn communication and boundary-setting skills
Lifestyle Tips to Support Bipolar Disorder
Educate Yourself: Learn about bipolar disorder to better understand what you’re experiencing.
Track your moods: Use a journal or app to notice patterns.
Distress tolerance: Learn strategies for sitting with the emotional dysregulation you may experience
Establish Routine: Maintain consistent sleep, meal, and activity schedules to help stabilize mood.
Practice Patience: Setbacks are part of the journey.
Avoid Substance Use: Limit alcohol and drugs.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself during mood swings.
Create a Support System: Surround yourself with understanding friends, family, or support groups.
Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into small, achievable steps to prevent overwhelm.
Practice stress reduction: Try mindfulness, yoga, or grounding exercises.
Exercise regularly: Even short walks can improve mood stability.
Medication
Many people with bipolar disorder benefit from taking medication alongside therapy for the best outcomes.
These medications may include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants, depending on the type of bipolar disorder and the symptoms you are experiencing.
Your psychiatrist or doctor will work closely with you to monitor side effects and adjust doses.
What Should I Do If I Think I Might Have Bipolar Disorder?
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of bipolar disorder and wondering whether you have this condition, consider speaking to your primary healthcare provider.
They can help you develop a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. This plan may include medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all three.
Book a Free Consultation with Bee Kind Counselling
At Bee Kind Counselling, the team is trained to support individuals living with bipolar disorder and other mood conditions.
They offer virtual therapy options that meet you where you are, whether you're seeking support for the first time or navigating a new diagnosis.
Book your free 15-minute consultation by emailing admin@beekindcounselling.com, calling 519-757-7842 ext. 1, or visiting the website below to get started.
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