What to Expect

  • Bipolar episodes can be short or long.
  • The depression symptoms (lows) tend to last longer than the mania symptoms (highs).
  • Bipolar disorder can be managed with treatment.

Bipolar Disorder Is a Lifelong Condition

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can impact many important areas of your life. It can affect both how you feel and how you act.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings—from extreme highs, or "manic episodes," to extreme lows, sometimes known as "depressive episodes" or simply "bipolar depression." Between episodes, many people have mild symptoms or no obvious symptoms at all. But even when you're free of symptoms, you still have bipolar disorder.

Episodes can last for days, weeks, months, and, rarely, years.

  • Photo of: Girl at a computer desk Sometimes, I don't leave my apartment, answer the phone, or check my e-mail for days.

Bipolar Depression Can Be Difficult and Disruptive

Bipolar depression is more than "feeling down," and it can disrupt your life. Some of the symptoms of bipolar depression include

  • Sadness or excessive crying
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Negative thoughts
  • Poor concentration or having difficulty remembering things
  • Low energy level
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Bipolar Depression Can Be Overwhelming and Sad

While symptoms of both depression and mania can cause problems for people with bipolar disorder, depression may have a greater impact for many people.

  • Bipolar depression symptoms last longer than the highs, or mania
  • Patients generally spend more time in the depressive phase than they do in the manic phase
  • Recovery time for depressive episodes is generally longer than that for manic episodes
  • The majority of suicides (attempted and completed) among patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder occur during the depressive phase of the illness

Bipolar Disorder Is Treatable and Manageable

The good news is that many people are able to manage their symptoms and lead a productive life with bipolar disorder. Feeling better typically involves a combination of education, medication, discussion, and professional consultation. There are many different medicines shown to be effective in people with bipolar disorder. In most cases, psychotherapy ("talk therapy") is also used. Many people with bipolar disorder can live a more stable life with proper treatment. Read more about it on the Treating Bipolar Disorder page.