Bipolar Disorders

What are Bipolar Disorders?

Bipolar disorders are a category of mental health conditions that involve extreme mood episodes consisting of emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). There are several different types of bipolar disorders, and each type has its own distinct features:

  1. Bipolar I Disorder: In the case of this type of bipolar disorder, manic episodes are present and are severe enough to impair social or occupational functioning, or to require hospitalization. Depressive episodes can also be present, but don’t have to be. Some people may also experience psychotic features or mixed episodes, where manic and depressive symptoms occur at the same time.

  2. Bipolar II Disorder: People with this type of bipolar disorder experience at least one depressive and one hypomanic episode in their lifetimes. By definition, they must not have had a manic episode.

  3. Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia): This disorder involves periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least 2 years (1 year for children and adolescents), but symptoms do not meet criteria for full hypomanic or depressive episodes. Additionally, mood swings must have lasted for at least half the time during the 2-year period, and symptoms have never stopped for more than 2 months.

What are Manic and Hypomanic Episodes?

Manic and hypomanic episodes both describe periods of abnormally elevated or irritable mood and increased activity or energy that persists for most of the day, nearly every day. Changes in mood and functioning are significantly uncharacteristic of the individual and are observable by others.

Signs of mania or hypomania include:

  • Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity 

  • Decreased need for sleep

  • More talkative than usual

  • Racing thoughts

  • Being easily distracted by external stimuli

  • Increase in goal-directed activity, whether socially, sexually, at school, or work

  • Psychomotor agitation (purposeless movement, such as pacing around the room)

  • Impulsivity and engaging in reckless activities, such as making poor financial investments, excessive spending sprees, or unsafe sex

What are Depressive Episodes?

Depressive episodes are periods of low mood, lack of interest or pleasure in typically-enjoyable activities, and a host of other symptoms (e.g., trouble concentrating, sleep disruption, thoughts of suicide) lasting more often than not for at least two weeks.

Signs of depression include:

  • Persistent sadness or hopelessness

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities

  • Changes in appetite or weight

  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

  • Fatigue or reduced energy

  • Excessive guilt and feelings of worthlessness

  • Trouble with making decisions and concentrating

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

How Do We Treat Bipolar Disorders?

Bipolar disorders can significantly impact a person’s relationships, ability to function, and quality of life. Treatment for bipolar disorders usually involves a combination of medication (mood stabilizers or antipsychotics) and psychotherapy. WG Psychology incorporates strategies from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with a specific focus on developing a consistent routine, avoiding substance use, and learning how to cope with stress more effectively through mindfulness and other strategies.

The Bipolar Disorders Treatment Team