What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that affects mood, energy, and the ability to function. It is not the same as everyday mood swings. Instead, people experience dramatic highs, known as mania or hypomania, and lows, known as depression. These episodes can last for days or weeks, interrupting work, relationships, and daily life.
The condition typically begins in the late teens or early adulthood. However, some people experience symptoms earlier or much later in life. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. Roughly 2.8% of adults in the United States are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and the majority of these cases are considered severe.
When untreated, bipolar disorder can worsen over time. But with the right treatment plan, people can learn to manage symptoms and lead healthy, productive lives.
Zeam Health & Wellness provides targeted psychiatric services across Sacramento, Roseville, and Folsom to support individuals living with bipolar disorder.
Key Symptoms and What to Look For
Manic and Hypomanic Episodes
Mania involves a sudden, extreme boost in energy or mood. People may feel overly confident, unusually talkative, or unable to sleep. Judgment can become impaired. Actions might become impulsive, even dangerous.
Hypomania has similar symptoms, but they are less intense and may not interfere with daily life. Some people enjoy the increased productivity or energy at first. However, these periods often lead to a crash.
During mania or hypomania, someone might:
- Sleep very little yet feel energetic
- Speak rapidly or jump between ideas
- Take financial, sexual, or physical risks
- Show signs of irritability or agitation
- Become delusional or experience hallucinations (in severe cases)
Depressive Episodes
The lows in bipolar disorder go far beyond sadness. A person may feel hopeless, tired, or unable to make simple decisions. In some cases, it becomes difficult to get out of bed or speak.
Common signs of a depressive episode include:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or despair
- Thoughts of suicide
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Mental health professionals diagnose bipolar disorder using the DSM criteria, evaluating the type and frequency of mood episodes.
Bipolar I Disorder
This type involves at least one episode of mania, which may or may not be followed by a depressive episode. In many cases, hospitalization is required during manic states due to risk-taking behavior or psychosis.
Bipolar II Disorder
This variation involves at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. Full mania never occurs. People with bipolar II are often diagnosed during depression, as hypomania may be mistaken for normal functioning or improved mood.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
Cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar disorder. It involves periods of low-level depression and hypomania over at least two years. While symptoms may not be as severe, they are still disruptive and unpredictable.
Other Forms
Some people do not meet the criteria for the above types but still experience mood episodes linked to medications, substance use, or medical conditions. These are classified as “other specified” or “unspecified” bipolar disorders.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
There is no single cause of bipolar disorder. Instead, it appears to result from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors.
- Genetics: Bipolar disorder runs in families. Around 80 to 90% of people diagnosed have a relative with either bipolar disorder or depression. Still, having a genetic predisposition does not guarantee someone will develop the condition.
- Brain Function: Research suggests differences in brain structure and chemical activity. These are not used to diagnose the disorder, but they provide clues about how mood regulation works.
- Stress and Trauma: Major life changes, grief, trauma, or sleep disruption can trigger mood episodes in vulnerable individuals.
- Substance Use: Alcohol and recreational drug use can worsen symptoms or trigger episodes, especially in people with an underlying mood disorder.
How Bipolar Disorder Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical and psychological evaluation. There is no blood test or brain scan that confirms bipolar disorder. However, doctors may use lab tests to rule out other conditions, such as thyroid disorders or medication side effects.
To confirm a diagnosis, a psychiatrist looks for patterns of mood episodes and assesses how much they interfere with daily life. The distinction between bipolar I and bipolar II depends on whether full manic episodes have occurred.
Because bipolar disorder often overlaps with other conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or borderline personality disorder, a thorough assessment is critical. Some medications for these conditions, such as antidepressants or stimulants, can even worsen bipolar symptoms if misdiagnosed.
Treatment Options at Zeam Health & Wellness
Bipolar disorder requires long-term, individualized care. There is no quick fix. However, many people find relief through a combination of medical treatment, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.
Psychiatry and Medication Management
Our psychiatrists provide personalized evaluations and medication plans. Most people with bipolar disorder need mood stabilizers or antipsychotics to control episodes. Lithium, valproic acid, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine are some of the most widely used medications.
In some cases, antidepressants are used carefully and always alongside a mood stabilizer. We monitor all medications closely to reduce the risk of side effects or mood destabilization.
We also offer advanced options like:
- Spravato (Esketamine): An FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression
- Ketamine Infusions: Used for rapid relief from severe depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A noninvasive, drug-free option for individuals who have not responded to medication
Therapy Services
Therapy helps people recognize patterns, manage triggers, and build healthy coping skills. At Zeam, we offer:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Family-focused therapy
- Psychoeducation for patients and families
Managing Life With Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder takes daily awareness and consistent habits to reduce the risk of future episodes.
We help patients build effective self-management strategies, such as:
- Following a structured sleep schedule
- Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
- Practicing mindfulness or meditation
- Identifying early signs of mood shifts
- Using mood journals or apps to track changes
- Creating a support network of friends and family
Begin Treatment in Sacramento, Roseville, or Folsom
You deserve care that actually helps. You deserve a provider who sees the full picture. And you deserve the chance to live with more balance, clarity, and peace.
We are ready when you are.
- Schedule your appointment at Sacramento, Roseville, or Folsom.
- Call or book online to begin your personalized treatment plan.
- Ask us anything. We will walk with you through every step.
