Conditions we treat
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is not about mood swings — it’s a serious, treatable condition that affects every area of life. The right care makes stability possible.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by distinct episodes of mania or hypomania (elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energy) and episodes of depression (persistent low mood, loss of interest, and fatigue). These cycles can last days, weeks, or months and vary significantly in intensity.
At The Psychiatric Center, we diagnose and treat the full spectrum of bipolar disorders — Bipolar I (with full manic episodes), Bipolar II (with hypomanic and depressive episodes), Cyclothymic Disorder, and other specified bipolar conditions. We also recognize rapid cycling, mixed episodes, and the significant overlap between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.
Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed — most commonly as depression alone, since people typically seek help during depressive episodes rather than manic ones. Accurate diagnosis matters because antidepressants used without mood stabilizers can trigger mania. We take a careful, thorough approach to diagnosis before recommending treatment.
How bipolar disorder can present differently
Manic and hypomanic episodes
During elevated episodes, people may feel unusually energetic, need less sleep, talk rapidly, engage in impulsive or risky behaviors (spending, sex, substances), take on ambitious projects, and feel grandiose or invincible. Hypomania is less severe but still disruptive — and often seductive in a way that makes it hard to want treatment.
Depressive episodes
Depressive phases of bipolar disorder can be severe — persistent sadness, hopelessness, inability to function, sleep and appetite disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. These periods are often longer and more debilitating than manic phases, which is why accurate diagnosis is critical.
Mixed episodes
Some people experience mixed states — simultaneous symptoms of mania and depression — which can be particularly distressing. Feeling ‘wired but miserable,’ agitated and hopeless at the same time, is a hallmark of mixed features and raises the risk of impulsive decisions.
Quick facts
- Affects approximately 2.8% of US adults
- Average delay from onset to diagnosis is 6–10 years
- Highly treatable with mood stabilizers and therapy
- Strong genetic component — runs in families
Related conditions
Our approach
How we treat bipolar disorder
01
Understand
We start with a thorough psychiatric evaluation — including sleep patterns, family history, and substance use — to distinguish bipolar disorder from unipolar depression, BPD, or ADHD before recommending treatment.
02
Build a plan
Treatment typically combines mood stabilizers (and sometimes atypical antipsychotics), therapy, and lifestyle interventions that support sleep and routine. We tailor the regimen carefully and adjust as we go.
03
Support you
Bipolar disorder is a long-term condition. We stay with you through medication adjustments, recognizing early warning signs, and navigating the parts of life — relationships, work, sleep — that matter most.
Common questions
Frequently asked
How is bipolar disorder different from just having mood swings?
Bipolar episodes are distinct periods of changed mood and energy lasting days to weeks, not hour-to-hour fluctuations. They significantly impair functioning, and they follow a pattern that’s different from everyday reactivity.
Will I need medication forever?
Many people with bipolar disorder benefit from long-term medication to prevent episodes. We work with you to find the right regimen, monitor for side effects, and adjust over time. Some people can reduce medications over time with psychiatrist guidance.
Can therapy help with bipolar disorder?
Yes — therapy is an important part of treatment alongside medication. It helps with recognizing triggers, building routines that support mood stability, managing relationships, and developing skills to navigate the early warning signs of episodes.
Is bipolar disorder the same as BPD?
No. Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are different conditions, though they share some symptoms like mood changes and impulsivity. The treatment approaches differ significantly, which is why careful evaluation matters.
Stability is possible
Call us to schedule an evaluation. Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.