Riding the Mood Rollercoaster: What You Should Know About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder isn’t just “mood swings.” It’s more like riding an emotional rollercoaster you didn’t buy a ticket for—one that sometimes hits peak euphoria and other times drops into deep despair. As a Tampa therapist and art therapist, I work with clients navigating this complex but treatable condition with compassion, humor, and the belief that healing is possible.

🧠 What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that involves cycles of mania or hypomania and major depression. These episodes can seriously disrupt your energy, sleep, focus, and ability to function (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

📋 DSM-5 Criteria for a Manic Episode (APA, 2013):

A manic episode is defined by:

• A distinctly elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is needed),

• Along with 3 or more of the following (4 if mood is irritable):

  • Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity

  • Decreased need for sleep

  • Increased talkativeness

  • Racing thoughts or flight of ideas

  • Distractibility

  • Increased goal-directed activity or agitation

  • Engaging in risky or impulsive behavior (e.g., spending sprees, unsafe sex)

🔄 Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

• Bipolar I: Includes at least one manic episode, which may be followed by depressive episodes. Mania can be severe and may require hospitalization.

• Bipolar II: Involves at least one hypomanic episode (a milder version of mania) and one major depressive episode. There is no full manic episode.

Both types can be incredibly disruptive without proper support, but they are manageable with the right treatment.

💊 Why Medication Matters—and Why It's Tricky

As Dr. David Miklowitz explains in The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (2011), medication is the foundation for stability and relapse prevention. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sometimes antidepressants can be life-changing.

But here’s the challenge:

• During mania, people often feel too good to think they need meds

• During depression, motivation drops off

• Side effects or stigma can make consistency hard

That’s why a combination of therapy, medication, and psychoeducation is the gold standard for treatment (Miklowitz, 2011).

🧰 Effective Therapies for Bipolar Disorder

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps reframe distorted thinking and manage stress

• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): Builds regular daily routines and healthy sleep patterns (Miklowitz, 2011)

• Art Therapy: Offers a creative outlet to process intense emotions and boost mood stability

• Psychoeducation: Teaches you how to recognize mood triggers and early warning signs

• Family Therapy: Helps strengthen your support system and reduce relational conflict

🤝 Common Comorbidities (NIMH, 2022):

Many people with bipolar disorder also experience other mental health challenges, such as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• ADHD

• PTSD

• Substance use disorders

• Eating disorders

• Borderline personality traits

Addressing these comorbidities is key to comprehensive care.

The Takeaway

Bipolar disorder isn’t a flaw—it’s a complex mental health condition that deserves understanding and compassionate care. With the proper treatment, support, and self-awareness, people living with bipolar disorder can thrive.

👉 Ready to work toward balance? Let’s talk.

📚 References:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).

• Miklowitz, D. J. (2011). The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know. Guilford Press.

• National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Bipolar Disorder