Bipolar disorder (bi = two; polar = opposite) is a serious mood disorder that causes dramatic mood swings from severe lows (depression) to extreme highs (mania).

People with bipolar disorder can also experience periods when they don’t have the symptoms of either depression or mania, and they feel healthy and symptom-free. This is called a balanced or stable mood. This makes it especially difficult to diagnose. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder affects 4% of the population.

This disorder typically develops in the late teens or early adult years, with more than half of all cases starting between the ages of 15-25.

Symptoms of depression:
A person with depression might...

• show changes in their mood.
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Extreme sadness for no apparent reason
  • Feeling uncontrollably sad, worried, or empty for at least two weeks
• show changes in their behavior.
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Feeling tired or “slowed down”
  • Having problems concentrating, remembering and making decisions
  • Being restless or irritable
  • Having extreme changes in eating or sleeping
  • Thinking of death or suicide

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Symptoms of mania:
A person with mania might...

• show changes in their mood.
  • Feeling extremely irritable or agitated
  • Having long periods of feeling “high” or overly stimulated
  • Feeling jumpy, jittery or wired
• show changes in their behavior.
  • Talking fast
  • Having racing thoughts
  • Jumping from one idea to another
  • Being restless or easily distracted
  • Having unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities
  • Behaving impulsively and taking part in high risk and reckless behaviors
  • Endangering personal health or well-being

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Balanced or Stable Mood:

• People with bipolar disorder also experience times when their mood is stable or balanced. This means they are not experiencing symptoms of either depression or mania, but they still have bipolar disorder.  

Symptoms of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose...

• Symptoms of bipolar disorder may resemble other disorders, such as depression, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder and even thyroid problems.
• Mood states may last weeks, months, or years which make the diagnosis between depression and bipolar more difficult.
• Bipolar disorder usually first presents itself during the teenage years when mood swings are more common. This also can be confusing for a mental health professional.

An effective maintenance treatment plan can include medication and psychotherapy (talking with a therapist). 

By taking medication prescribed by a psychiatrist and working with a mental health professional, people affected with bipolar disorder can experience fewer, less severe or minimal mood swings, and can live a successful life.

It is also important to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise, manage stress, and avoid drugs and alcohol.

Family and friends also provide important support.

WAYS TO HELP SOMEONE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER...

• Understand that people with bipolar disorder experience mood swings differently. Sometimes mood swings are fast cycling and sometimes they can last for weeks or months.
• Understand that being in a stable mood does not mean that a person no longer has bipolar disorder. It  means they are not experiencing symptoms of mania or depression at that time.
• Using the word bipolar as a way to describe mood swings in friends can be hurtful and disrespectful to those who are diagnosed with this disorder.

WAYS TO SUPPORT ANYONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER

• Educate yourself about the disorder.
• Listen to your friend when they want to talk.
• Keep checking in with your friend.
• Use 1st person language. Say,
  “My friend has bipolar disorder.” not “My friend is bipolar.”
• Reassure your friend of your support and understanding.

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HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY...

• “It’s not your fault.”
• “I’m listening.”
• “I am here for you.”
• “It’s the illness that causes these thoughts and feelings.”
• “This must be really difficult for you.”

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HURTFUL THINGS TO SAY...

• “It’s all in your head.”
• “What’s wrong with you?”
• “Get over yourself, you have no reason to feel that way.”
• “Shouldn’t you be better by now?”
• Bipolar disorder is a very serious mental illness. It is important not to use the term “bipolar” lightly to refer to daily ups and downs as this is disrespectful of people who are struggling with this severe mood disorder.

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DO NOT [HURTFUL ACTIONS]... 

• ...tell a friend to “Snap out of it!”
• ...diagnose.
• ...gossip.
• ...take your friend’s withdrawal personally.

Find additional information on our Mental Health Disorders page and other suggestions on our Understanding Stigma page >>

Can you answer these questions?

1. What is bipolar disorder? (Name the two major states of bipolar disorder in your answer)
2. Describe some symptoms of the depressive episode and the manic episode of bipolar disorder.
3. What makes it difficult to diagnose bipolar disorder?
4. What types of treatment are available for people experiencing bipolar disorder?
5. What can you do to support someone with bipolar disorder?
6. How do you think stigma might affect a person with bipolar disorder?

*Hint: Read the BIPOLAR Disorder facts at the top of this page to find the answers for 1-5. And view our Understanding Stigma page for question #6.