Bipolar Disorder
Difficulties We Work With
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder in which people have times of experiencing low mood (major depression) and times of experiencing ‘high’ or ‘elevated’ mood (mania or hypomania).
These changes usually last at least a week and affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts. They can also affect an individual’s sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behaviour and the ability to think clearly which can interfere with relationships, activities and day-to-day living. The experience of bipolar disorder is different for everyone.
People experiencing bipolar disorder will experience:
- Depressive episodes: low mood, feelings of hopelessness, sleep and appetite changes, extreme sadness and lack of interest and pleasure in things, and suicidal ideation.
- Manic or hypomanic episodes: extremely high mood and activity or agitation, racing thoughts, little need for sleep, rapid speech, impulsive behaviours, huge surge in productivity and extreme increase in energy.
Bipolar disorder requires long-term management, typically combining psychological therapy and medication. Bipolar disorder affects an individual’s ability to function in everyday life. Therefore, without adequate management and treatment, it makes it difficult to consistently cope at work, home, school or socially.
Explore Other Difficulties
- Addiction
- ADHD
- Adjustment Disorder
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Behavioural Difficulties
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Developmental Disorders
- Coping With Medical Conditions
- Eating Disorders
- Family Stress
- Grief and Loss
- Infertility or Pregnancy Loss
- Low Self Esteem
- Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
- Personality Disorders
- Separation and Mediation
- School Refusal
- Self Harm
- Sleep Problems
- Stress
- Trauma