If you've ever wondered what it is like to have bipolar disorder, you're not alone. Maybe you're curious about your own ups and downs, or maybe someone you love has been diagnosed and you want to understand. This guide describes, in plain words, what many people say the highs, the lows and the in-between can feel like, and what support can look like.
This article is general information. It can't tell you whether you have bipolar disorder, and only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis.
More than mood swings
Everyone has good days and bad days. Bipolar disorder is different. CAMH describes it as a medical condition in which a person cycles through periods of elevated mood and periods of depression, with a well state in between when many people feel normal and function well. The shifts in mood are often far stronger than everyday ups and downs.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that these changes come with real changes in energy, activity and sleep, and that they last days or weeks, not just a few hours. So it isn't about being "moody" or "dramatic." It's a health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels and gets through their day.
NIMH also says that symptoms most often start in late adolescence or early adulthood, although they can show up at other ages. Because every person is different, what follows is not a checklist. It's a picture of what many people describe.
Why it can take time to be recognized
Many people live with bipolar disorder for years before anyone names it. NIMH points out that some people only seek help during a low period, and that milder highs can go unnoticed because they feel good. Some symptoms are also similar to those of other conditions, so it can be confusing for the person and for those around them.
If that sounds like a long road, it can be. Feeling unseen or misunderstood in the meantime is a common part of the story. Please don't use this article to label yourself or someone else. Use it as a reason to ask for a proper conversation with a qualified professional.
What the high periods can feel like
The high periods are sometimes called mania or hypomania. Many people describe a surge of energy, as if the world has sped up. Thoughts may race, speech may come fast, and sleep may feel unnecessary. NIMH lists feeling "up," elated or extremely irritable, racing thoughts, a decreased need for sleep and a feeling of being unusually important or talented among the signs.
Some people say it feels wonderful at first. Hypomania, the milder form, can feel productive and even exciting, and the person may not feel like anything is wrong. Friends and family are often the first to notice that something has changed.
For others, a high period feels more like being wired, short-tempered or unable to settle. Decisions can feel brilliant in the moment, and judgment can slip. Later, many people feel regret or worry about what they said, spent or promised.
What the low periods can feel like
The low periods are depressive episodes. People often describe a heavy slowing down. Everything takes more effort. Thinking can feel foggy, and even simple tasks can feel out of reach. NIMH lists feeling very down, hopeless or worthless, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep and a loss of interest in almost all activities.
Guilt can be part of it, especially after a high. A person may look back on how they acted and feel ashamed, which can make the low feel even darker.
Some people have times when high and low feelings show up together. NIMH calls these mixed episodes. A person might feel wound up and hopeless at the same time, which can be confusing and very distressing.
The in-between, and the fear of the next swing
Between episodes, mood often settles. CAMH notes that many people feel well and function well in this state. That can be a relief, and it can also bring its own worries. People often say they watch themselves closely, asking, "Is this a good day or the start of something?"
That fear is common, and it doesn't mean someone is "overreacting." It can help to have a steady routine, people who understand and a safe place to talk it through. Nobody can promise how the future will go, and we won't either. What we can say is that NIMH reports proper treatment can lead to better functioning and a better quality of life.
Sleep, routine and the body
Sleep comes up again and again in descriptions of bipolar disorder. In a high period, NIMH lists a decreased need for sleep. In a low period, it lists trouble falling asleep, waking too early or sleeping too much. So sleep can change in both directions.
Many people find that a steady daily rhythm feels calming. That might mean regular meals, a consistent wake-up time and a wind-down routine at night. These are everyday supports, not treatment, and they won't work the same way for everyone.
If sleep or energy have changed sharply and you're worried, reach out for support sooner rather than later. If you take medication, raise it with your prescriber or ask about our Nurse Practitioners, and don't stop anything on your own.
Shame, stigma and relationships
Many people say that explaining bipolar disorder is one of the hardest parts. They worry about being judged, or about being seen only as a diagnosis. NIMH notes that some people experience stigma related to their symptoms, which can keep them from seeking the help they need.
Relationships can feel the strain. Partners, friends and relatives may not understand what happened during a hard stretch. Words said in a high or a low can leave hurt on both sides. Honest conversations, and some patience, can repair a lot.
If someone you love is the one living with this, you don't need to understand everything to be helpful. Listening without judging, staying calm and showing that you're still there can mean a great deal. It also helps to remember that a person is much more than a diagnosis. People with bipolar disorder are people first: partners, parents, coworkers and friends. We don't need to turn an illness into a gift to say that. We can simply say the person matters.
If this sounds familiar, what support can look like
If you recognize yourself in parts of this, you're allowed to ask questions. Reading an article can't tell you what is going on, but talking with someone can be a good first step.
Counselling can help you make sense of your mood patterns, build routines that suit you, work through shame and repair relationships. You can read about our depression counselling and our individual counselling to see what working with us can look like. Our psychologists can assess and diagnose, and Nurse Practitioners can assess, diagnose and prescribe. The free consultation is a good place to ask what an assessment might involve.
Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) and Registered Social Workers (RSWs) provide therapy. Individual sessions are $130 to $200, and student therapists offer sessions for $0 to $80. Psychologist fees depend on the service, and we go over them with you in your free consultation. Depending on your plan, your insurance may cover the full session fee. We see clients in person in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and Ottawa, and online across Ontario.
If you or someone else is in danger
Both high and low periods can bring risky choices or thoughts of suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about ending their life, or is not safe, please reach out right away. Call or text 9-8-8 any time, or visit 988.ca. In Waterloo Region, Here 24/7 is available at 1-844-437-3247. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also read our crisis lines page.
Start with a free conversation
You don't have to figure this out alone, or know the right words. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what you've been experiencing and what support could look like. For plain-language background, MedlinePlus has an overview of bipolar disorder.