Common Bipolar Symptoms
Manic or Hypomanic Episodes
Bipolar Depression
Sleep & Energy Changes
Impulsivity & Racing Thoughts
Compassionate, evidence-based care focused on long-term mood stability and quality of life.
How We Help
Mood-Stabilizing Medications
Medication is a cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment. The right medication depends on whether symptoms involve mania, hypomania, depression, mixed symptoms, or long-term prevention.
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Lithium for mood stabilization and relapse prevention
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Lamotrigine particularly for bipolar depression and maintenance
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Atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine, lurasidone, cariprazine, or others when appropriate
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Individualized treatment based on symptoms, previous response, side effects, and medical history
Accurate Diagnosis & Monitoring
Bipolar disorder can sometimes be mistaken for depression, ADHD, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, or emotional dysregulation. A careful evaluation looks beyond individual symptoms to understand patterns occurring over time.
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Review depressive, manic, and hypomanic episodes
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Evaluate sleep, energy, impulsivity, and mood patterns
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Consider ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and other overlapping conditions
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Monitor medication response, side effects, and appropriate laboratory testing
Personalized & Long-Term Treatment
The goal of bipolar treatment isn't simply managing the current episode. Long-term treatment focuses on maintaining stability and reducing the likelihood of future mood episodes.
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Relapse-prevention and maintenance treatment
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Sleep and circadian-rhythm stabilization
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Psychotherapy and behavioral strategies
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Lifestyle, exercise, stress, and substance-use considerations
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Coordination with therapists and medical providers when appropriate
Bipolar Disorder Isn't Just "Mood Swings"
Everyone experiences changes in mood. Bipolar disorder involves distinct episodes of depression, mania, or hypomania that represent a meaningful change from someone’s usual functioning.
During mania or hypomania, someone may experience decreased need for sleep, increased energy, racing thoughts, rapid speech, increased confidence, distractibility, irritability, increased activity, or impulsive behavior.
Bipolar depression can involve low mood, loss of pleasure, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, hopelessness, and decreased functioning. Diagnosis requires considering the severity, duration, timing, and pattern of symptoms over time.
Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode. Depression is very common in Bipolar I, but a major depressive episode is not required for the diagnosis.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II disorder involves episodes of hypomania and major depression.
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Hypomania is less severe than full mania and does not cause the same degree of marked impairment, but Bipolar II should not be thought of as simply a “milder” form of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Resources
Helpful information to better understand Bipolar and treatment options.
Bipolar vs. ADHD: How to Tell the Difference
Learn how episodic mood changes in bipolar disorder can differ from chronic ADHD symptoms.
Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II: What's the Difference?
Understand mania, hypomania, bipolar depression, and how the two major forms of bipolar disorder differ.
Bipolar Disorder
Treatment Options
Learn about lithium, lamotrigine, atypical antipsychotics, and other medication considerations.
Antidepressants & Bipolar: What You Should Know
Learn why antidepressant treatment can be more complicated when bipolar disorder is present.
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