No one chooses this illness.

Research shows that genetics play a major role—if a parent or sibling has bipolar disorder, your risk is higher

But it’s not just about DNA. Stress, trauma, loss, even changes in seasons or sleep patterns can trigger episodes

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Bipolar disorder doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people swing between mania and depression. Others hover in the gray spaces in between, or spend more time in one state than the other. Diagnosis comes through careful conversations with psychiatrists, mapping out your mood changes, your energy, your actions. Sometimes, it takes input from loved ones to piece together the puzzle—especially when the highs feel like relief from the lows, not symptoms of illness.


Living With Bipolar Disorder

Treatment is not a cure, but it can make life manageable. Medication is often necessary—mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, sometimes antidepressants (but always with caution, since they can trigger mania). For some, therapy is a lifeline, helping you learn to spot early warning signs, manage stress, and find a sense of control. Hospitalization may be needed during severe episodes, especially when safety is at risk

Some people never know this is a symptom. It just feels like the best version of themselves. Until it isn’t.

You learn to build routines: regular sleep, healthy eating, exercise. You learn to watch for triggers—lack of sleep, stress, substance use—and to ask for help when you need it. You might create a prevention plan with your therapist and loved ones, so everyone knows what to do when the first signs of an episode appear.