Bipolar I & II
You Are Not “Too Much.” You Are Not “Too Intense.” You Are Not “Broken.”
Bipolar disorder is not just mood swings or being “overly emotional”—it’s a complex neurobiological condition that affects energy, decision-making, emotions, and even your sense of self (Grande et al., 2016).
When you’re up, you might feel unstoppable—your brain firing at lightning speed, ideas flowing, confidence soaring.
When you’re down, it’s like moving through quicksand, every thought heavy, every task impossible.
And when those shifts happen suddenly, it can feel like your own mind is working against you.
Here’s the truth: Bipolar disorder is not a character flaw—it’s a brain-based condition, and it’s treatable. With the right support, you can learn to ride the waves without being pulled under.
💡 Your mind is powerful—let’s find ways to work with it, not against it. Start here.
What We Support
Bipolar I: When Mania Takes Over
Bipolar I disorder is marked by full manic episodes, which can feel exhilarating, destructive, or both at the same time.
During a manic episode, the brain’s dopamine and serotonin systems are overstimulated, creating a rush of energy, impulsivity, and euphoria that can lead to risky decisions, disrupted sleep, and even psychosis (Jauhar et al., 2023).
🔹 Signs of Bipolar I Manic Episodes:
- Feeling wired, hyper-focused, or invincible
- Needing little to no sleep but still feeling energized
- Racing thoughts that won’t slow down
- Talking faster than usual or jumping from topic to topic
- Increased risk-taking—overspending, unsafe sex, impulsive business decisions
- Feeling untouchable—then crashing into exhaustion
💡 Mania isn’t just “high energy”—it can be destabilizing and exhausting.
Let’s talk about how to keep things balanced.
Bipolar II: When the Lows Hit Harder
Bipolar II disorder doesn’t typically include full manic episodes, but it does involve hypomania—a milder, shorter-lived form of elevated mood.
What makes Bipolar II uniquely challenging is the intensity of depressive episodes, which often last longer and hit harder than the highs (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
🔹 Signs of Bipolar II Hypomania:
- Feeling more confident, creative, or social than usual
- Needing less sleep but still feeling functional
- Increased productivity, often leading to overcommitting
- Feeling irritated or impatient when things slow down
🔹 Signs of Bipolar II Depression:
- Overwhelming fatigue, no matter how much you sleep
- Losing interest in everything, even things you once loved
- Feeling hopeless, ashamed, or emotionally numb
- Trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
- A sense that you’re stuck in a deep, never-ending low
💡 Bipolar II often gets mistaken for “just depression”—but recognizing the full pattern is key.
Let’s figure out what’s really going on.
The Overlooked Reality: Mixed Episodes & Rapid Cycling
Not everyone with bipolar disorder experiences clear-cut highs and lows.
Some people have mixed episodes, where depressive thoughts collide with manic energy—leading to racing thoughts, agitation, and emotional pain that feels unbearable (McIntyre et al., 2020). Others experience rapid cycling, where mood shifts happen more frequently, sometimes within days or weeks.
🔹 Signs of Mixed Episodes or Rapid Cycling:
- Feeling high energy but emotionally miserable
- Restlessness, irritability, or overwhelming anxiety
- Thoughts racing but all of them are negative
- Rapid shifts between high energy and deep exhaustion
- Feeling out of control, like your brain won’t let you settle
💡 If your moods shift rapidly, you’re not “just dramatic”—your brain needs stability.
Why Bipolar Disorder Needs the Right Support
Bipolar disorder isn’t just about mood—it impacts sleep, focus, decision-making, relationships, and even self-trust. Without the right tools, it can feel like you’re constantly making up for things you did when you felt different.
With the right support, you can:
✅ Recognize mood shifts early—before they spiral
✅ Develop coping strategies that actually work for your brain
✅ Stabilize sleep patterns to prevent manic or depressive episodes
✅ Improve impulse control while still embracing creativity and energy
✅ Create sustainable routines that don’t burn you out
💡 You don’t have to keep riding the rollercoaster alone.
Let’s figure out a plan together.
Treatment That Works
There’s no single “fix” for bipolar disorder, but treatment often includes:
🧠 Nervous System Regulation
- Grounding techniques for mania-driven overstimulation
- Strategies to interrupt depressive spirals before they deepen
- Somatic exercises to help the body recalibrate
💊 Medication Management (If Needed)
- Mood stabilizers like lithium or lamotrigine
- Antipsychotics or antidepressants, depending on symptom patterns
- Close monitoring to avoid worsening mood swings (Geddes & Miklowitz, 2013)
📊 Therapy & Practical Tools
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe unhelpful thoughts
- Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) to stabilize daily routines
- Mindfulness & emotion regulation skills to handle mood shifts
💡 Your treatment plan should work for you—not just check a box.
Let’s find the right approach together.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5-TR).
- Geddes, J. R., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Treatment of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672-1682.
- Grande, I., Berk, M., Birmaher, B., & Vieta, E. (2016). Bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 387(10027), 1561-1572.
- Jauhar, S., Veronese, M., Rogdaki, M., et al. (2023). Dopaminergic function in bipolar disorder. Molecular Psychiatry, 28(1), 231-239.
- McIntyre, R. S., Calabrese, J. R., & Vieta, E. (2020). Rapid cycling bipolar disorder. CNS Drugs, 34(4), 367-381.
This version keeps the grounded, affirming tone while making sure the science is clear, accessible, and actionable. Let me know if you’d like any refinements! 🚀