When bipolar depression takes hold, it can feel like carrying an invisible weight that pins you to your bed. You’re not just tired. You’re relentlessly exhausted. The idea of getting “up and at ‘em” ...

Allow me to make a mess. Then I’ll try to clean it up. The mess: There are no clear lines between rapid cycling and non-rapid-cycling bipolar. There are no lines between rapid cycling and “ultradian” ...

We hear it from our therapists like a broken record: For successful mood management with bipolar disorder, consistent and adequate sleep is essential. The usual tips are to maintain a consistent sleep ...

Self-care supports stability best when it also respects other people’s needs, boundaries, and feelings. With bipolar disorder, it can be difficult to distinguish between “self-care” and “selfishness.” ...

When you’re stressed, anxiety can increase, and if you also have bipolar symptoms, everything can feel even more intense. Your mood might change, your appetite could shift, and it may be tough to ...

Hypomania — and even mania — has a certain allure, including increased energy, productivity, and excitement, especially after emerging from bipolar depression. Although the thought of “giving up” ...

I’ve faced the more familiar facets of bipolar — unpredictable mood swings, medication side effects, irregular sleep patterns — for decades. However, I’ve discovered some difficult dilemmas that often ...

Explaining invisible symptoms can be hard. Use simple terms and scripts to bridge the gap with family and friends. Explaining bipolar disorder to our friends and family is rarely easy, especially when ...

An incessant stream of repetitive thoughts typically badgers Christine E. when she’s alone, or at night — when she doesn’t have someone or something to distract her. The rumination happens most when ...

New studies on prescriptions that may reduce hospitalizations, how meds impact thinking, and the state of wearables for mood episode detection. Key Takeaways Like the rest of us, researchers studying ...

Rapid cycling can be confusing when mood shifts do not follow neat diagnostic lines. The first goal is mood stability — supported by sleep, routines, and careful treatment choices. Key Takeaways Allow ...

Complementary and integrative therapies can be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder — as long as they are an addition to your treatment plan, not a substitution for it. For someone with bipolar ...