Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can bring intense highs and deep lows—but you don’t have to face them alone. At InSite Health, our compassionate team provides personalized, evidence-based care to help you manage symptoms, stabilize mood, and reclaim balance in your life.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition marked by cycles of extreme mood changes—ranging from emotional highs (mania or hypomania) to deep lows (depression). These mood episodes can significantly disrupt daily life, relationships, and overall functioning.
Manic episodes are a defining feature and involve an unusually elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week. While not everyone with bipolar disorder experiences depressive episodes, many do—and the shifts between these states can be severe and unpredictable.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I is defined by manic episodes lasting at least seven days or so intense that they require hospitalization. Depressive episodes typically last two weeks or more. Some people may also experience mixed episodes, where features of mania and depression occur simultaneously.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II involves shorter, less intense manic episodes (called hypomania) alongside longer-lasting depressive episodes. Although hypomania may not severely disrupt daily life, the depressive symptoms can be just as debilitating as those in Bipolar I.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder that includes ongoing fluctuations between hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don’t meet full diagnostic criteria. These mood shifts may be less extreme but can still interfere with daily life and benefit from treatment.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Symptoms vary from person to person and between mood states, but they typically fall into two categories:
Manic or Hypomanic Symptoms:
Elevated or irritable mood
Excessive energy or restlessness
Decreased need for sleep
Racing thoughts or rapid speech
Impulsive or risky behavior
Inflated self-esteem
Distractibility
Difficulty maintaining routines or responsibilities
Depressive Symptoms:
Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Low energy or fatigue
Sleeping too little or too much
Loss of interest in activities
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or emptiness
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Suicidal thoughts or ideation
Mood episodes often last for days or weeks and may lead to significant disruption in work, relationships, and personal safety. Suicidal risk can occur during both manic and depressive episodes.
Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder
Depression Screening
Healthcare professionals use standardized screening tools to assess depressive symptoms. Common tools include:
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
These screenings evaluate mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, and more, and help determine whether further evaluation or treatment is needed.
A positive screening is not a diagnosis but a first step toward professional help.
Diagnosis and Testing
There is no blood test or imaging scan that can diagnose bipolar disorder. A mental health professional will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, which may include interviews, symptom questionnaires, and a review of personal and family history.
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, seeking a professional evaluation is the best first step toward getting support.
Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
At InSite Health, treatment for bipolar disorder is tailored to the individual and may include:
Medication management (e.g., mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants)
Psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and interpersonal therapy)
Lifestyle strategies (like sleep regulation, stress management, and routine building)
Family or couples counseling to strengthen support systems
The goal of treatment is to stabilize mood, reduce the frequency and severity of episodes, and improve overall functioning.
We're here to help.
InSite Health offers secure telehealth appointments for patients who may prefer or require virtual care. These sessions are conducted via phone, tablet, or computer and are just as effective as in-person visits for many patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder—previously known as manic depression—is a mental health condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. These shifts include episodes of mania or hypomania (emotional “highs”) and depression (emotional “lows”) that can affect daily functioning.
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.6% of American adults, which equates to about 5.7 million people. That means roughly two to three adults out of every hundred live with this condition.
No. Bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder, not a personality disorder. Mood disorders primarily affect a person’s emotional state, while personality disorders involve long-term patterns in how someone thinks, feels, and relates to others.
Bipolar disorder can be disabling when symptoms significantly interfere with work, relationships, or daily life. In some cases, individuals with bipolar disorder may qualify for disability benefits to help manage their condition and access support.
There are no lab tests or brain scans that can diagnose bipolar disorder. Instead, diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a licensed mental health professional who can assess mood patterns, personal history, and symptoms over time.
There is currently no cure for bipolar disorder, but it can be effectively managed. Many individuals achieve long-term stability through a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments that support mood regulation and emotional wellness.
