Bipolar Disorder (BPD)

“It’s never overreacting to ask for what you want and need.”

Amy Phoeler

Bipolar disorder is more than the occasional ups and downs everyone experiences—it is a mood disorder marked by intense shifts in energy, mood, and activity levels. These changes can range from periods of elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsivity (mania or hypomania) to episodes of deep sadness, low energy, and hopelessness (depression). The dramatic nature of these shifts can disrupt work, relationships, and daily functioning, leaving you feeling out of control or uncertain about what’s ahead. Bipolar disorder is not a character flaw—it is a medical condition influenced by brain chemistry, genetics, and environmental factors, and with the right treatment, symptoms can be managed, and stability is possible.

Therapy offers a safe and supportive space to better understand your mood patterns, develop healthy coping skills, and create strategies to maintain stability. Through evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), and mindfulness techniques, we help you recognize early warning signs of mood changes, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience. With the right tools and ongoing support, you can lead a balanced, fulfilling life.

Palm tree leaves against a clear blue sky.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms


Emotional Symptoms

  • Periods of extreme happiness, excitement, or euphoria (mania/hypomania)

  • Periods of intense sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness (depression)

  • Irritability or agitation during mood changes

  • Rapid or intense shifts in emotions

  • Heightened self-confidence or inflated sense of ability during manic phases

  • Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-doubt during depressive phases

  • Anxiety or worry about future mood episodes

Physical Symptoms

  • Changes in energy levels (high energy in mania, low energy in depression)

  • Changes in sleep patterns (reduced need for sleep in mania, oversleeping in depression)

  • Increased physical activity or restlessness during mania

  • Fatigue or slowed movement during depression

  • Changes in appetite and weight (increases or decreases depending on mood state)

  • Racing heartbeat or physical tension during manic or anxious periods

  • Physical exhaustion after mood swings


Behavioral Symptoms

  • Engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors during mania (spending sprees, unsafe sex, reckless driving)

  • Talking rapidly or feeling pressured to keep talking

  • Difficulty concentrating or staying on task

  • Withdrawing from others or losing interest in activities during depression

  • Starting many projects during mania but not completing them

  • Making decisions quickly without considering consequences

  • Irregular daily routines or inconsistent self-care habits