Maybe you've had low stretches that keep coming back, and in between, weeks where you barely sleep but get more done than ever. Or maybe you've noticed this pattern in your partner, sister or friend. The signs of bipolar disorder in women can be easy to miss, partly because the low periods are what people tend to notice and seek help for. This post explains what bipolar disorder is, signs that may show up in some women, why it's often read as depression first and what an assessment can clarify.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis or a self-test. Only a qualified professional can assess bipolar disorder.
What bipolar disorder is, in plain terms
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) describes bipolar disorder as a condition in which a person cycles through periods of depression and elevated mood, with well periods in between when many people feel normal. Everyone has ups and downs, but these mood shifts are more extreme.
The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes the main patterns:
Bipolar I involves manic episodes, which are intense highs in mood and energy, usually with depressive episodes too.
Bipolar II involves depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is like mania but less severe, and it doesn't disrupt daily life as much.
So bipolar disorder is not the same as ordinary moodiness or a bad week.
Signs of bipolar disorder in women that can be easy to miss
Every woman's experience is different, and none of these signs on its own means someone has bipolar disorder. Still, some early signs of bipolar in women may include:
low periods that keep returning, sometimes for weeks at a time
stretches of needing much less sleep while feeling full of energy
racing thoughts, talking faster or jumping between ideas
big plans, spending or decisions that feel exciting at the time
irritability or feeling "wired" rather than happy
feeling high and low at the same time, like restless and hopeless together
friends or family noticing changes you don't
The pattern over time matters more than any single sign. Writing down mood, sleep and energy across a few months can make the picture much clearer.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time. Our crisis lines page lists both.
Why it often gets read as depression first
Most people reach out for help when they feel low, not when they feel unusually good. NIMH notes that hypomanic episodes can make a person feel very good and productive, so they may not feel that anything is wrong. Family and friends are often the ones who notice the change.
That's why signs of bipolar 2 in women can be easy to overlook. If the lows are what get talked about, the highs may never come up. Many women describe the hypomanic stretches as "finally getting my life together" rather than as part of the same pattern.
What research says may differ for women
A 2010 review by Diflorio and Jones in the International Review of Psychiatry found that bipolar disorder affects men and women at about the same rate overall. But most studies it reviewed reported that women may have a higher risk of:
bipolar II and hypomania
rapid cycling, which NIMH describes as four or more episodes of mania or depression within a year
mixed episodes, with symptoms of highs and lows at the same time
The same review found no consistent differences between men and women in many other areas, including how often depressive episodes happen or how severe the illness is. It described the impact of reproductive life events, especially childbirth, as perhaps the biggest difference for women.
Signs of bipolar depression in women
NIMH notes that many people with bipolar II spend long periods in a persistent, low-grade depressive state. Signs of bipolar depression in women may look a lot like other depression: feeling sad, empty or hopeless, losing interest in things, low energy, sleeping too much or too little and trouble concentrating.
What may set it apart is what comes before or after. If low periods have been followed by stretches of unusual energy, little sleep or racing ideas, it's worth mentioning both during an assessment, even if the highs felt good.
Life stages when mood changes may be noticed
The weeks and months after having a baby are a time when mood changes may show up or become more noticeable. NIMH lists a personal or family history of bipolar disorder as a risk factor for depression during and after pregnancy.
NIMH also describes a rare but serious condition after childbirth that can include confusion, seeing or hearing things that aren't there, paranoia or a very high mood that seems out of touch with reality. It calls this an emergency.
After giving birth, if a new parent suddenly seems confused, sees or hears things others don't, or talks about harming themselves or the baby, call 911 right away.
Mood changes can also be noticed in midlife and later. Symptoms of bipolar in women over 50 deserve the same careful attention as at any age. Our prenatal and postpartum therapy supports parents through the perinatal period.
Signs of bipolar disorder in women in relationships
Bipolar disorder doesn't only affect the person living with it. In relationships and at work, it might look like:
irritability and arguments that seem to come out of nowhere
impulsive decisions, like big purchases or sudden plans, that a partner wasn't part of
pulling away from a partner during low periods
guilt and trying to repair things afterward
These patterns are understandable, and none of them makes someone a bad partner. Support for the couple or family can help everyone understand what's happening.
What an assessment can clarify
If you recognize yourself here, an assessment can help sort out what's going on. On our team, psychologists can assess and diagnose. Before booking, it can help to note:
when your low periods started and how long they last
any times you needed much less sleep but felt energized
changes others have mentioned
whether mood shifts have lined up with life events, like having a baby
Bring these notes to your first appointment. They help a professional see the whole pattern. If you feel comfortable, ask someone close to you what they've noticed too, since family and friends often spot changes first.
How counselling can help
Counselling can help women understand their moods, build routines that support stability, manage stress and repair relationships. Our counselling for depression supports women during low periods and helps them notice patterns over time. We also support partners and family members.
We offer counselling at our Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Ottawa offices, and online counselling anywhere in Ontario.
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover up to 100% of the cost. Coverage varies, so check your plan.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers, including for sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Desjardins is the exception: through TELUS eClaims, we can direct bill Desjardins for sessions with an RSW, RP or psychologist, but not for an RP (Qualifying).
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. "I've been having mood ups and downs and I'd like to talk to someone" is enough.
If you're in crisis: if you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night. Our crisis lines page lists both.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bipolar disorder
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Bipolar disorder
U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Perinatal depression
Diflorio A, Jones I. Is sex important? Gender differences in bipolar disorder. International Review of Psychiatry, 2010 (PubMed ID 21047158)